Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Michel Platini re-elected as Uefa president: We love Fifa deeply

Former France international to serve third term after standing unopposed

Martyn Ziegler
Tuesday 24 March 2015 09:22 EDT
Comments
Uefa’s president, Michel, Platini insists his goal is ‘the good of football’ – whose good is that?
Uefa’s president, Michel, Platini insists his goal is ‘the good of football’ – whose good is that? (AFP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Michel Platini insisted that UEFA "loves FIFA" after he was re-elected unopposed as UEFA president for a third four-year term.

Platini has made it clear he does not support Sepp Blatter standing for a fifth term as FIFA president on May 29 - but he used his acceptance speech to say people are trying to turn the rest of the world against UEFA.

Platini told the UEFA Congress in Vienna: "This means more to me than you can possibly imagine. I know I can count on you, and you know that you can count on me.

"This allows me to continue for another four years. I do want to say that we love FIFA deeply, and it's precisely because we love and respect FIFA that we want it to be perfect.

"We are only demanding about the people and institutions we care about."

Addressing the presidents of the other five confederations, he added: "We want a FIFA that is respectable and respected. Certain people are trying to turn us against each other and isolate us and call us arrogant and selfish Europeans - but don't believe everything you hear.

"We know we are in a privileged position and we will work for the good of the 209 national associations and the good of FIFA as well.

"Whatever the results of May 29, that's why we are going to continue to work together."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in