The Malta Independent 23 April 2024, Tuesday
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UEFA nations could pull out of 2018 World Cup if Blatter remains FIFA president

Friday, 29 May 2015, 12:46 Last update: about 10 years ago

Uefa president Michel Platini said his organisation would be “open to all options” when quizzed on whether they would consider boycotting the competition.

Platini, who represents the 53 European countries including England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy, is ready to take drastic action if Sepp Blatter remains in charge of crisis-hit FIFA.

FIFA president Blatter is coming under increasing pressure after allegations of widespread corruption but is determined to stand in today’s election against Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein.

When asked whether UEFA could pull out of FIFA, former France World Cup star Platini said: “Of course. If Blatter wins UEFA will meet to decide our future relationship with FIFA.

“We will surely have a meeting in which we will be open to all options. If Mr Blatter wins, UEFA will meet in Berlin to discuss the future of our relations with FIFA. We cannot continue like this with FIFA. Enough is enough.”

That UEFA meeting will take place in Berlin next month ahead of the Champions League final and Platini believes a boycott is something some nations will be considering because they are sickened by the latest FIFA scandal.

“There may be proposals,” said Platini at a UEFA press conference in Zurich. “I honestly don’t wish that.”

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