体坛英语新闻：English FA backs Platini to become FIFA chief

LONDON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The English Football Association on Wednesday expressed their support to UEFA President Michel Platini in his bid to succeed Sepp Blatter as the head of FIFA.

The FA Chairman Greg Dyke said in a statement: "We support Michel Platini's candidacy.

"We have a good relationship with him and hope he can gain the necessary global backing to lead a new FIFA during the most difficult period in its history.

"We understand there will be a number of candidates, which should result in a strong and healthy debate. However, we should not underestimate how challenging it will be for anyone to lead an organisation that has been so tainted. The whole structure of FIFA must be reviewed and fundamentally changed."

Blatter, who has been accused by a group of western countries of corruption but always claimed innocent, has already announced he will quit as FIFA president, with an election set for Feb. 26.

Dyke said, "While we have yet to see Mr Platini's manifesto, we believe he will fully support an ongoing reform process.

"Mr Platini has been supportive of English football in recent years, not least when he visited St. George's Park last autumn and we spoke at length about the game in this country, our strong leagues, great clubs and fantastic fans.

"We continue to have discussions with him on our concerns about dwindling opportunities for homegrown players - a concern he shares.

"We are pleased Mr Platini has decided to stand as a candidate and we look forward to supporting him."