Platini and Blatter deliver up duel: shadow fight in Vienna – tagesspiegel

20:13 clock John Nedo

Update On the Uefa Congress in Vienna Michel Platini will be confirmed in the presidency. The 59-year-old Frenchman has over the next four years, much before – and supplies are the same times a hidden duel with Fifa boss Sepp Blatter.

The scene did not fit. They did not fit with all the lovable, words of praise that had the most important men of world football exchanged until then. Michel Platini, President of the European Football Association (UEFA), was just been confirmed by acclamation by the delegates of the Uefa Congress for four more years in office. The Frenchman enjoyed on the podium the applause, but not everyone clapped at the Great Hall of the Vienna Convention Centre. Above all, a man not the only one who is more powerful in world football. Joseph Blatter

The Fifa president sat with folded arms and stony-faced in the first row

Platini. and leaves are no longer friends. Currently they have a kind of shadow duel. Blatter wants to be re-elected on May 29, again as FIFA president. Platini wants to prevent that. But he does not do this by playing against the Swiss. The 59-year-old has instead sent three candidates in the race who are close to him and the Uefa. Dutchman Michael van Praag, the Jordanian Prince Ali bin al-Husein and Portugal’s Luis Figo. So far this election was not a real election campaign. But on Tuesday met all the candidates on each other -. Plus provide shade campaigner Platini

Blatter place, the Uefa does not contribute to the unity in world football at

As Blatter deal with this situation, was the great question before the UEFA Congress. Finally, the 79-year-old had previously repeatedly stressed that he did not need to run a campaign. His previous work in the Fifa was still manifest enough. And so Blatter appeared at the beginning of the Congress rather than on a candidate, but as FIFA president. In this role, he was allowed to make any election during his speech. So Blatter praised with warm words, the UEFA and then spoke mainly about the spectacular view from its effect of football. About how much the football people touch the world, and how much football can contribute to peace. The only thing missing that Blatter had said that football could solve all the problems of the world.

But then, something hidden, he dismissed the European Union officials still out that he has with their criticism and their foray, three candidates set up against him, did not agree. He stressed how important it was to show unity. And he repeated often. So often that everyone had to learn in the hall: Blatter place, the Uefa does not contribute to the unity in world football at. And he said: “I ask the Uefa together to produce this unity within our organization.” But that was already

Platini also initially only with cloudy words about football.. After his election, he was then still the world governing body, but to mention them by name without leaves. “Fifa is very important to us. We want to be perfect, “he said. And then added cryptically: “Some try to pit us against each other. Do not believe everything you’re told. We are not the arrogant Europe. “

The best impression leaves Michael van Praag

Again Platini of applause could be sure. What is its retention within the Uefa, the delegates showed again and again. Also DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach Platini praised versions. “His speech I really liked, he stressed that he is not a soloist who can prevail only his ideas.” That was a veiled reference to the Fifa presidential campaign. Niersbach has Blatter closer look from now on the occasion of the finger. The 64-year-old was elected to succeed Theo Zwanziger in the FIFA Executive Committee, also by acclamation. And Niersbach stressed once his great hope: “We need to make the absolute credibility again.”

Almost the exact same words also chosen Blatter’s rival candidate. All three put in their speeches great importance that the Fifa needs to change. The best impression left this van Praag. He was very committed and encouraged the delegates to right to elect him now. But everyone also praised effusively Platini for his leadership. This reflects the European football was agreed on Tuesday. Joseph Blatter will not like it.