By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – German football legend Franz Beckenbauer says UEFA chief Michel Platini is the obvious candidate to succeed Sepp Blatter as the next President of FIFA in four years’ time.
Platini is widely regarded as being a shoo-in for Blatter’s position in 2015 and Beckenbauer – himself once a pretender to the most coveted job in world football – says the Frenchman would be the natural choice.
In an interview with the German publication Kicker, Beckenbauer said Platini had the ability to “get his ideas across.
“I think he’ll [Platini] be the next FIFA President.”
Beckenbauer is in favour of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play project designed to crack down on debt-ridden clubs but is concerned that many could be seriously compromised.
The initiative aims to prevent clubs from spending more than they generate, with sanctions applying from 2014-2015.
“I hope that it [FIFA financial fair play rules] will be enforced,” said Beckenbauer.
“It’s time for a serious clean up.
“Progress is not without risk.
“Numerous clubs in Italy, Spain and France are wiped out and depend on donations.”
Beckenbauer, who has stepped down from the FIFA Executive Committee at the age of 66, repeated similar remarks in an interview with L’Équipe.
“Football isn’t an investment toy, it’s a sport,” he said.
“It doesn’t deserve the behaviour of certain clubs.
“Right now there are huge amounts of money circulating in the game.
“It’s time for major housekeeping and I hope Michel manages that.”
However, he was less enthusiastic about the prospect of reform at FIFA in the wake of the recent bribery scandal.
“We all saw what happened with the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups,” Beckenbauer said.
“Football is run by people who, perhaps, profit a little from the process.
“Everyone is demanding reforms from Sepp Blatter but what sort of reforms?”
He still believes the 2022 World Cup should be switched to the winter and admitted he was surprised the tournament went to Qatar.
“Qatar has no football tradition though it does represent new commercial markets,” he said.
“Still, it’s impossible to play football at 40 or 50 degrees.
“That’s far too hot.
“The Emir has proposed a multi-million investment for air-cooled stadia, fan zones and training grounds.
“But what’s the point?
“If the World Cup were played in January, as I have suggested, all those millions could be saved.”
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