by Our Sports Desk

MICHEL PLATINI formally announced yesterday that he will run for the Fifa presidency, saying he wants to restore dignity to the world governing body.

The 60-year-old Uefa president has written to all of Fifa’s 209 member associations to inform them of his intentions to succeed Sepp Blatter.

Platini said in the letter: “There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands. I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of Fifa.”

Blatter has announced he is to step down on February 26 due to the corruption crisis which has engulfed the organisation.

Frenchman Platini added that he wants to “to give Fifa back the dignity and the position it deserves.”

“This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future. I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me.

“During this last half-century or so, Fifa has only had two presidents. This extreme stability is something of a paradox in a world that has experienced radical upheavals and in a sport that has undergone considerable economic change.

“However, recent events force the supreme governing body of world football to turn over a new leaf and rethink its governance.”

Platini has been Uefa president since 2007 and supported Blatter in the past but fell out with him when the 79-year-old reneged on his 2011 promise to step down at the end of his fourth term in office.

Blatter was re-elected in May this year but within four days had announced he would quit after Fifa’s involvement in bribery was uncovered.

The Football Association is expected to back Platini along with most, if not all, countries in Europe.