UEFA's Platini urges FIFA president Blatter to step down from position
UEFA chief Michel Platini has pleaded with Sepp Blatter to step down from his role in charge of FIFA , saying he has dragged world football's governing body to a "very, very, very bad" place.
Blatter was first elected to the role in 1998, successfully retaining his position for five successive terms and is set to renege on his initial promise that he would stand as a candidate in 2015.
However, Platini says the image of football's global governing body has been tarnished following a string of corruption scandals over the past couple of years and the France legend would like to see a new person take the reins.
"I supported him in 1998 because I think he was the right person," he told Europe 1. "After five terms, it's time to have some fresh air and make room for someone else.
"I think the image of FIFA is very, very, very bad and that is why he must stop."
Platini announced earlier this year that he would not challenge Blatter for the presidency, despite not being pleased that the Swiss would be going for the top job again, leaving Jerome Champagne as the 78-year-old's only current opponent for next year's election.
Blatter was advised to resign from his position by German football chief Reinhard Rauball last month after Fifa was humiliated by poor handling of their own investigation into corruption of World Cup 2018 and 2022 bids.
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