Platini urges Blatter to keep word on reforms

Michel Platini has called on Fifa president Sepp Blatter to keep his promises for reform on the eve of one of the most important days in the world governing body’s turbulent history.

Blatter will today unveil his proposals for change, and Uefa president Platini said he hopes the meeting of Fifa’s executive committee will lead to a new era of transparency. The eight European Fifa members met yesterday to discuss their strategy to make sure the reforms happen and – in the words of one – “re-establish the credibility of football” after 12 months where Fifa has been rocked by corruption scandals. The Europeans, led by Platini, will push for Germany’s Theo Zwanziger to be appointed as the head of a new body to implement the reforms.

Platini said: “We hope that what Mr Blatter promised us this time becomes fact, and not just ideas. We hope that we can bring transparency to Fifa.”

Europe will hold more than a third of the votes today – only 21 members are expected to attend as American member Chuck Blazer is ill, while Thailand’s Worawi Makudi is not attending due to floods in his country. Platini said he was confident Fifa is heading for a better future, but that football could still thrive despite the problems. He added: “I think so, but don’t forget we played the Champions League final at the same time as the trouble of the Fifa. That means we don’t need Fifa to have better football.”

Fifa has been under pressure to change following the corruption scandals of the last 12 months which has seen three Fifa members banned, including presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam banned for life for bribery, and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner resigning a month after being charged with the same offence.