ZURICH. — One of the greatest footballers in history, Michel Platini was on target just two weeks ago for becoming the next head of FIFA, the sport’s paramount body.

But yesterday, his dream was dealt a shattering blow by the financial scandal that has engulfed FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

An ethics panel suspended Platini for 90 days after Swiss investigators said the UEFA chief had received a “disloyal payment” of two million Swiss francs from Blatter.

In his mid-1980s heyday, the elegant French playmaker was one of the best players in the world.

He led France to 1984 European Championship glory and starred at club level for Saint-Etienne and Juventus.

He won two Serie A titles with Turin as well as the 1985 European Cup – a triumph overshadowed by events off the field that night at the Heysel Stadium, where 39 fans were killed in a crush before the game against Liverpool in Brussels.

He was honoured with the Ballon d’Or, the top honour for individual talent, in three successive years -1983, 1984 and 1985.

The World Cup proved to be beyond his powers, with Les Bleus losing in the semi-finals in 1982 and 1986.

As a young coach, his France team failed even to qualify for the 1990 World Cup and then bowed out of Euro 92 at the group stage.

Instead, Platini turned to administration, serving as co-president of the organising committee of the 1998 World Cup – which France won on home soil.

He gave his support to Blatter when the Swiss won that year’s FIFA presidential elections, before working as vice-president of the French Football Federation in 2001 and then taking charge of UEFA, gathering European associations, in 2007.

As the tide of sleaze has risen around FIFA, the 60-year-old Platini has sought to position himself as the man to clean up an organisation brought to its knees by endless corruption scandals.

He announced his candidature for the FIFA presidency when Blatter sensationally announced in June that he was organising a snap election to choose his successor. — AFP.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey