Paris - The French Michel Platini, president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) today officially announced his candidacy for the presidential elections of the International Football Federation (FIFA), mired in a corruption scandal.

It is a very personal decision, taken with great care, in which I have weighed the future of football and myself, he explained through a statement.

Platini, president of the governing body of the European football since 2007, will aspire to succeed Sepp Blatter, who decided to announce his resignation after corruption scandals occurred in recent days within FIFA, which marked the most recent congress in Zurich.

The former football player added that "there are defining moments in your life you need to take destiny in your hands. I'm in one of those moments. "The election will take place at the extraordinary congress scheduled for February 26, 2016.

Platini's announcement came after receiving the support of his candidacy from at least four of the six confederations, including the powerful Asian Football Confederation.

Some praise his management in the UEFA for its campaign against racism, democratization of Euro (in 2020 will be played in 13 countries on the continent) and the extension of the quotas for the Champions League. But it has also been strongly criticized by the vote for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, which has been questioned under corruption accusations.

As potential rivals, the candidate who worries Platini the most is the Korean Chung Mong Joon, FIFA vice-president and one of the heirs of the Hyundai Automotive Group.

In addition, other former players like Argentine Diego Armando Maradona, Zico, the Portuguese Luis Figo or French David Gionla, and the chairman of the Dutch Federation, Michael Van Praag have raised the possibility of launching into the race for control of FIFA.

Until next October 26, the opportunity to nominate candidates for the FIFA presidency will be opened.