Sepp Blatter 'motivated' to bring in reform says Michel Platini

Michel Platini today expressed his belief that FIFA president Sepp Blatter is "really motivated" to bring in reforms tomorrow.

The UEFA president held talks with the eight European FIFA members in Zurich this morning to discuss their strategy ahead of the world governing body's executive committee meeting, which takes place today and tomorrow.

Blatter's proposals for reform are to be discussed tomorrow and Platini said: "I get the impression that Mr Blatter is really motivated to change something - we will see."

Blatter's proposals are thought to include a new 'solutions committee' to deliver reforms, a stronger ethics committee with more powers to investigate alleged wrongdoing, and rules obliging FIFA members to pass a fit and proper person's test before they are permitted to sit on the executive committee.

Blatter has already announced some other plans, including having all 206 FIFA countries voting on future World Cup hosts rather than the 25-man executive committee.

FIFA have been under pressure to change following the corruption scandals of the last 12 months.

Two FIFA members were banned last year following investigations by the Sunday Times, and this year presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned for life for bribery, with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner resigning a month after being charged with the same offence.

PA