UEFA President Michel Platini has ended speculation over running for the FIFA presidency after revealing he will not run for the position.
The Frenchman told the 54 member associations of the continental body, meeting in Monaco ahead of tonight's Champions League draw, that he wants another term as UEFA president. The elections are in March 2015.
The 59-year-old had considered running for the top job in world football, with speculation fuelled about a possible bid in June when he withdrew support for Blatter's election push, claiming he reneged on a promise to step down in 2015.
The decision paves the way for Sepp Blatter's bid to be re-elected for a fifth term as FIFA President. He has been in the role since 1998.
Platini said after the meeting: “This is the decision I have made. It is about what I want to do with Uefa.
"Now is not my time, not yet. I want to complete what I have started and I want to go to the end of my contract with UEFA and if the federations wish I will still have a few years before this contract comes to an end.
"I have thought long and hard but I never managed to convince myself that I had to go to FIFA.
"I chose from the heart and on the basis of my passionate feeling."
FIFA executive committee member Michel D’Hooghe welcomed Platini’s decision not to oppose Blatter. He said: “It was a very positive message. He said he would like to continue as Uefa president and I am pleased that it means that this time there will be no battle between Fifa and Uefa.”
Platini and CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb would be among likely candidates to contest the 2019 FIFA presidential election.
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