UEFA president Michel Platini has today confirmed his intention to run for the FIFA presidency at the extraordinary FIFA Congress on 26th February 2016. DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach, who also sits on the Executive Committees of FIFA and UEFA, spoke about the Frenchman’s qualities and the DFB’s position in an interview with DFB.de.
DFB.de: Michel Platini today announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency. What makes you think he will be a suitable successor to Sepp Blatter?
Wolfgang Niersbach: On the pitch, Michel Platini was an excellent captain – and since 2007 he’s led UEFA extremely well, and is guaranteed to stay in his position for at least another four years. As UEFA president he has shown that he is capable of leading a big organisation. He knows football inside out and he’s never lost his passion for the game. It also speaks volumes of him that he is willing to take on this challenge even in these tough times we find ourselves in. There are obviously still a few issues over which we may not see eye to eye. For example, Michel Platini knows that I took a different position to him following the awarding of the 2022 World Cup Finals to Qatar – but that has had no effect on our good working relationship and the appreciation we have for one another.
DFB.de: The DFB wanted a European candidate. Will Platini get the support and the vote of German football?
Niersbach: I can assure everyone that he has our full support. That’s the unanimous opinion of the entire DFB presidential board. Michel Platini can’t achieve the goal of bringing in the necessary reforms to FIFA in such a short period of time all on his own – I will happily support him on the Executive Committee as best I can.
DFB.de: Should Platini be elected, UEFA will be left without a President. Is there a concrete plan in place for this possibility?
Niersbach: Before anything else, Michel Platini has to be elected on 26th February next year – at the moment we don’t know if there will be any other candidates. In terms of how UEFA will act, that will be decided between 14th and 17th September 2015 at our General Assembly of the 54 member nations in Malta. Until then, there is no point in speculating over any individuals. The next UEFA Congress is scheduled to be held on 23rd March 2016 in Budapest.
created by mmc/sm
UEFA president Michel Platini has today confirmed his intention to run for the FIFA presidency at the extraordinary FIFA Congress on 26th February 2016. DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach, who also sits on the Executive Committees of FIFA and UEFA, spoke about the Frenchman’s qualities and the DFB’s position in an interview with DFB.de.
DFB.de: Michel Platini today announced his candidacy for the FIFA presidency. What makes you think he will be a suitable successor to Sepp Blatter?
Wolfgang Niersbach: On the pitch, Michel Platini was an excellent captain – and since 2007 he’s led UEFA extremely well, and is guaranteed to stay in his position for at least another four years. As UEFA president he has shown that he is capable of leading a big organisation. He knows football inside out and he’s never lost his passion for the game. It also speaks volumes of him that he is willing to take on this challenge even in these tough times we find ourselves in. There are obviously still a few issues over which we may not see eye to eye. For example, Michel Platini knows that I took a different position to him following the awarding of the 2022 World Cup Finals to Qatar – but that has had no effect on our good working relationship and the appreciation we have for one another.
DFB.de: The DFB wanted a European candidate. Will Platini get the support and the vote of German football?
Niersbach: I can assure everyone that he has our full support. That’s the unanimous opinion of the entire DFB presidential board. Michel Platini can’t achieve the goal of bringing in the necessary reforms to FIFA in such a short period of time all on his own – I will happily support him on the Executive Committee as best I can.
DFB.de: Should Platini be elected, UEFA will be left without a President. Is there a concrete plan in place for this possibility?
Niersbach: Before anything else, Michel Platini has to be elected on 26th February next year – at the moment we don’t know if there will be any other candidates. In terms of how UEFA will act, that will be decided between 14th and 17th September 2015 at our General Assembly of the 54 member nations in Malta. Until then, there is no point in speculating over any individuals. The next UEFA Congress is scheduled to be held on 23rd March 2016 in Budapest.
