Platini smear campaign to be investigated by FIFA

Document titled “Platini – skeleton in the closet” has been distributed at FIFA HQ, according to a German newspaper.

UEFA President Platini congratulates FIFA President Blatter
Platini will be running for FIFA presidency [Reuters]

FIFA will investigate the alleged distribution from their headquarters of an anonymous heavily critical ‘dossier’ on UEFA President Michel Platini following a complaint from European football’s governing body.

On Sunday, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag said that the document titled “Platini – skeleton in the closet” was distributed out of FIFA’s headquarters.

The newspaper said that document painted an unflattering picture of the former France international and questions his suitability for the role of FIFA president.

The existence of the dossier on Platini, who is hoping to replace outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter in February’s election, has also been reported in the Swiss media.

“FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke has received a letter from UEFA regarding the said subject,” said FIFA in a statement emailed to Reuters.

“In his answer to UEFA, the FIFA Secretary General has confirmed that FIFA is investigating the matter.”

In addition to Valcke, UEFA said they had also sent their complaint to Cornel Borbely, a Swiss attorney who is FIFA’s independent chief ethics investigator, and Domenico Scala, independent chairman of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee and chairman of the ad-hoc election committee.

FIFA will hold an election on February 26 to choose a replacement for Blatter, who said in June he was standing down from his role in the wake of the corruption scandals that have hit FIFA.

Source: Reuters