Last BLATTER/PLATINI press conference before the FIFA congress

05.06.98 14h43 CET

At 11 h 00 on Friday 5 June at the Sofitel-Sèvres hotel, just around the corner from the International Media Centre (CIM) at the Porte de Versailles in PARIS, Joseph Sepp BLATTER--assisted by Michel PLATINI--gave his last international press conference with regard to his bid for the FIFA presidency. The FIFA Congress will be electing its new president on Monday 8 June in the "Salon Equinoxe de l'Aquaboulevard", Porte de Sèvres PARIS.

After providing a rundown of how their dual candidature came about, the two men spent 90 minutes taking questions from the many journalists present. Among other things, they reiterated the main theme of their campaign: "FIFA for all, all for football". Both men believe that the large sums of money generated by top-flight football, and the World Cup in particular, should be spread out among the footballing community as a whole.

"FIFA should fulfil youngsters' needs and provide them with an education" said Joseph BLATTER, "in playing the game young people should not only improve as footballers but also as human beings" he went on to say.

After presenting the various reforms which he would implement if elected, Joseph BLATTER declared himself optimistic about the outcome of the election--as did Michel PLATINI. In next Monday's election BLATTER is up against Swede Lennart Johansson, Chairman of UEFA. One delegate from each of FIFA's 198 national associations will vote in the secret ballot.