Platini to delay announcement on standing for FIFA presidency
Michel Platini will delay any announcement on standing for the FIFA presidency until after this weekend's 2018 World Cup preliminary draw.
Platini will attend the draw in St Petersburg where he will hold further talks with figures from world football and is likely to make an announcement in the next two to three weeks, it is understood.
The 60-year-old UEFA president is the favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter in the election on February 26 after being the backing of four of the six FIFA confederations.
Meanwhile, Platini would favour a fully independent person from outside football being appointed to lead a FIFA task force charged with implementing reforms of the world governing body.
Domenico Scala, the independent chairman of FIFA's audit and compliance committee, has emerged as a candidate after he discussed the position last weekend with three confederation presidents including Platini.
Although Platini would be open to the idea of Scala being appointed, UEFA insiders say he would prefer someone without any FIFA connections taking the position.
Proposed reforms include integrity checks for FIFA executive committee members, term limits for officials and making public the salaries of all senior FIFA employees including the president.
