Platini to run for UEFA top job

Former France captain and manager Michel Platini plans to run for the presidency of the sport's European governing body, UEFA.

The 49-year-old, who led France to consecutive World Cup semi-finals in 1982 and 1986, said if he was elected he would put a smile back on the face of a sport he fears is becoming ruled by big business.

"I've sent a letter announcing my intention to the president of UEFA," he told reporters during a lunch yesterday. "There are many turbulences in the world of soccer and I want to do something about it."

The current president of UEFA is Lennart Johansson, but the Swede has already said he would not run for election again.

Platini, who was voted European Footballer of the Year three times, won the 1984 European Championships with France and helped Juventus win three Italian titles and the European Cup, said his passion for the game is the reason he is running.

"I want soccer to be something other than what it is today," he said. "I want to prevent the most beautiful game from becoming only business."

Platini, who scored a record 41 goals for France in 72 appearances, still commands huge respect in the game and has not been afraid to voice his displeasure at aspects of modern football in various administrative roles he has held since hanging up his boots in 1987.

He believes that the grassroots of the game must be protected, while the "win at all costs mentality" has to change.

Platini said the current make-up of the Champions League also needs looking at.

"Of course, I don't think we would have 256 clubs in a KO system from the start, but it should move towards that," he said.

Platini's career since retiring from playing includes a spell as the national manager when France were unbeaten from April 1989 to February 1992.

He was also the co-president of the French Organising Committee for the 1998 World Cup and vice-president of the French Football Federation.

¤ Former France captain Michel Platini turned down offers to play for Arsenal and Tottenham when he left St Etienne for Juventus in 1982. "I had proposals from English clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham and my wife wanted to go to London," Platini said. "But I decided against it because they play too many games in England, and I went to Italy." Platini said the congested fixture schedule in English football was the reason why Premier League clubs often struggled in European competition.