UEFA president shies away from questions about plans for futureJune 10, 2015 - 17:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - UEFA president Michel Platini declined to divulge his intentions for the FIFA presidency, the Associated Press reports. Speaking publicly for the first time since Sepp Blatter announced his decision to resign, Platini shied away from questions Wednesday, June 10, about his plans for the future. "I'm not making any political decision. I know where you want to lead me and I won't go there," said Plantini, who had opened the news conference by saying he would not talk about FIFA. "When I know something, I'll tell you." The 59-year-old Platini, a former France great and national team coach, is a leading candidate to replace Blatter as FIFA president. He met with French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday before attending a news conference about next year's European Championship, which will be played in France. "This news conference was scheduled way before recent events involving FIFA. Many of you have come here to question me about these events, about FIFA and about my future," Platini said at the start of the news conference. "I will do that when the time is right. But this is not the time or the place." FIFA has been plunged into crisis since U.S. authorities indicted 14 people on corruption charges ahead of last month's FIFA congress. Seven of them were arrested in Zurich. Blatter then won a fifth, four-term as FIFA president on May 29, but four days later announced his decision to resign. He said elections for a successor would be held sometime between December and March. Platini, a former Blatter confidant turned adversary, would need help from outside his European power base to win a FIFA election. But he steered clear of any campaigning on Wednesday. "We are here to talk about Euro 2016," said Platini, who scored nine goals for France when it won the European title on home soil in 1984. "This is an important step toward Euro 2016 and I don't want the events surrounding FIFA to undermine this." Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Lemkin Institute urges Armenia to respect people’s right to dissent The Lemkin Institute has urged the Armenian government to respect people’s fundamental human right to express their dissent. Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. |