French Michel platini, free to resume functions in football after the end in 2019 of a four-year suspension, will become the French representative on the board of directors of Fifpro, the world union of players, we learned from her entourage.
His entry into office should take place in November, the same source said, confirming information from the daily L’Equipe.
This appointment, if it is confirmed, should mark the great return of the former Blues playmaker in football, six years after his ouster from his post as UEFA president in 2015 and his ban. of world football.
“It makes me very happy“, commented Platini in a statement sent to AFP.
“I always said I would come back where I could be of help. I have also always said that football belongs to the players and the supporters. I am coming back to my family, the players, so that their place is fully defended and recognized and especially to build with them the future of this sport.“, he added.
Platini’s return to business at Fifpro is sponsored by the current president of the union, Frenchman Philippe Piat (78), who plans to hand over in November.
“I have decided to no longer be the representative of France on the + board + (of Fifpro, where France has a member by right, editor’s note). And I would like Michel Platini to sit there in my place as representative of the UNFP“, the French union of professional footballers, declared Piat in the columns of L’Equipe.
Platini, now 65, was suspended from all football-related activities at the end of 2015 after receiving 2 million Swiss francs (1.8 million euros) from FIFA in 2011, validated by the president of the Sepp Blatter era without a written contract.
This case is the subject of an investigation in Switzerland for “unfair management“, “breach of trust“and”fraud“. Blatter and Platini assure for their part that it is about a remainder of salary for a work of adviser going back to 1999-2002.
Michel Platini said to see moreover in this affair a “conspiracy“intended to oust him from the FIFA presidency which seemed to be open to him, for the benefit of Gianni Infantino. He therefore counter-attacked at the end of 2018 with a complaint for “slanderous denunciation“and”conspiracy“.
