UEFA chief Michel Platini says it would be good for football if Sepp Blatter loses FIFA election

UEFA president Michel Platini (l), with his FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter during last year's World Cup in Brazil

Michel Platini is backing Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan in this Friday’s FIFA presidential election.

Prince Ali is the sole challenger to Sepp Blatter who is seeking to extend his 17-year reign at the head of world football

The 79-year-old from Switzerland is hoping to remain in the role although Platini, the head of European football’s governing body UEFA, says the game will suffer if his former mentor remains in the top job at FIFA.

France’s former skipper also believes Blatter is scared of having ‘nothing in his life’ if he walks away from the presidency.

In a candid interview given to French sports daily L'Equipe, Platini said: "I am firmly convinced that Ali, whom I have known on a personal level for years, would make a great FIFA President. He has everything it takes.

“He is honest and humble and comes from a country that bridges different cultures and traditions. He can bring real added value, and he is also someone who knows how to work in a team.

"I have nothing against Sepp. I like him as a person and I respect him. We have had some good times together, and nothing and no one can take that away.”

However, Platini says Blatter should now leave his post, adding: "While he remains in place, whether he likes it or not, and whether it is fair or not, FIFA will lack credibility and its image will be tarnished, and so it will lack authority.

"Moreover, it will be football that suffers. FIFA will not disappear the moment he steps down. On the contrary, it would give FIFA the chance of a new lease of life.”

As for offering reasons why he thinks Blatter wants to continue for a fifth term in office, the 59-year-old Platini went on: “He is simply scared of the future, as he has given his life to the institution, to the point where he now identifies himself fully with FIFA.

"I understand the fear of that emptiness that he must have, it's natural. But if he really loves FIFA, he should have put its interests ahead of his own.”