Michel Platini will NOT stand against Sepp Blatter for Fifa presidency

The Frenchman had been expected to challenge the current president

Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter (GETTY IMAGES)

Uefa president Michel Platini will not run against Sepp Blatter for the Fifa presidency

The Frenchman had been expected to put up a serious challenge to the current Fifa president, however has opted to run for re-election as Uefa president.

The 59-year-old Frenchman told Uefa delegates in Monaco that he had decided against standing for the Fifa post as he wants to continue his work as head of European football's ruling body.

Platini said after the meeting: "This is the decision I have made. It is about what I want to do with Uefa."

Reacting to Platini's decision, European Fifa executive committee member Michel D'Hooghe is said to have told Press Association: "It was a very positive message - he said he would like to continue as Uefa president and I am pleased that it means that this time there will be no battle between Fifa and Uefa."

Platini's decision comes as little surprise - standing against Blatter would have been an uphill struggle and would have meant the Frenchman not running for the Uefa presidency in March.

There is, however, certain to be continuing pressure from Europe for Fifa to carry out more reforms and Platini remains unhappy Blatter, who was once his mentor, has reneged on his public promise not to stand for another term.

Five of Fifa's six continental bodies have already announced their support for Blatter, only Europe has publicly opposed him.