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International

Fifa will investigate alleged 'smear dossier' on Michel Platini after Uefa lodge official complaint to general secretary Jerome Valcke

German media obtained a document that was entitled "Platini - skeleton in the closet" from Fifa

Fifa confirmed on Monday that they will investigate the alleged distribution from their headquarters of an anonymous heavily critical 'dossier' on Uefa president Michel Platini following a complaint from European soccer's governing body.

German newspaper Welt am Sonntag said on Sunday that the document, entitled "Platini - skeleton in the closet", was distributed out of Fifa's headquarters.

The newspaper said it paints an unflattering picture of the former France international and questions his suitability for the role of Fifa president.

Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president

Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president

  • 1/6 Michel Platini

    Current president of Uefa. Voted for the Qatar World Cup, which makes position somewhat difficult. Asked Blatter to resign before elections.

    Getty Images

  • 2/6 Prince Ali Al-Hussein

    The Jordanian was the only contender against Blatter when the elections took place. Managed to pick up 73 votes from the Fifa executive committee to Blatter's 133. Has already confirmed he will stand again.

    PA

  • 3/6 David Gill

    The former Manchester United chief executive refused to take up his place on the Uefa executive committee after Blatter's re-election. 'My professional reputation is critical to me and I simply do not see how there will be change for the good of world football while Mr Blatter remains in post,' he said at the time.

    Reuters

  • 4/6 Luis Figo

    Former Real Madrid and Barcelona player announced himself as a candidate for the most recent election but pulled out in protest at how it was being run, saying the process was 'anything but an election'.

    AFP/Getty Images

  • 5/6 Jerome Champagne

    Also announced himself as president contender but failed to gain the minimum five nominations required. The Frenchman is a former Fifa deputy general secretary and has been a fierce critic of Uefa.

    GETTY IMAGES

  • 6/6 Michael van Praag

    Dutch FA president was also a contender for president before pulling out in order not to split support between himself and Price Ali.

    GETTY IMAGES

 

The existence of the dossier on Platini, who is hoping to replace outgoing Fifa President Sepp Blatter in February's election, has also been reported in the Swiss media.

"Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke has received a letter from Uefa regarding the said subject," said Fifa in a statement emailed to Reuters.

"In his answer to Uefa, the Fifa Secretary General has confirmed that Fifa is investigating the matter."

Michel-Platini.jpg

In addition to Valcke, Uefa said they had also sent their complaint to Cornel Borbely, a Swiss attorney who is Fifa's independent chief ethics investigator, and Domenico Scala, independent chairman of Fifa's Audit and Compliance Committee and chairman of the ad-hoc election committee.

Fifa will hold an election on Feb. 26 to choose a replacement for Blatter, who said in June he was standing down from his role in the wake of the corruption scandals that have hit the global soccer body.

Jerome-Valcke.jpg

Platini is the current front runner in the election but his relationship with Blatter has deteriorated badly.

Reuters

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