By Andrew Warshaw
March 3 – Michel Platini should throw in the towel and step down as UEFA president as soon as possible in order to avoid a leadership vacuum, according to the boss of the German FA.
Reinhard Rauball, interim president of the German FA (DFB), which tomorrow releases its eagerly awaited internal report into alleged misconduct surrounding the 2006 World Cup bid, says Platini should resign now so that a replacement can be discussed and voted on at the next UEFA congress in Budapest on May 3.
Platini is determined to fight to the last in order to clear his name over his six-year ban from football and is taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which may not deliver a verdict for several weeks, delaying the election of new president way beyond UEFA’s May summit.
Although UEFA are set to appoint Theodore Theodoridis tomorrow as its interim general secretary now that Gianni Infantino has become FIFA president, Rauball says permanent appointments are essential and is questioning Platini’s judgment.
The Frenchman wants a ruling before the European Championships in his homeland, which would enable him to resume his post and attend if he is successful in overturning the ban.
But Rauball said: “Currently, UEFA doesn’t have a leader in either of the two most important positions: Platini is suspended and the former general secretary Gianni Infantino is now at FIFA.”
“In the summer, the European championships will take place and a lot of things need to be prepared and agreed. I think it is urgent that there is a discussion about an alternative (president) in terms of the congress in May.”
“One has to distinguish between the personal interests of Platini and the capacity to function of UEFA, which is a venture worth billions.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1746953647labto1746953647ofdlr1746953647owedi1746953647sni@w1746953647ahsra1746953647w.wer1746953647dna1746953647