/ 25 July 2006

Platini in the running for Uefa presidency

Former France captain Michel Platini has confirmed his candidacy for the presidency of European soccer’s governing body.

French soccer federation chief Jean-Pierre Escalettes officially announced Platini’s candidacy in a letter on Monday to Uefa secretary general Lars-Christer Olsson.

The elections will be held in January 2007.

Platini (51) will challenge incumbent Lennart Johansson, the 76-year-old Swede who has headed Uefa since 1990.

Platini is a member of the Uefa and Fifaexecutive committees. — Sapa-AP