German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported UEFA "asked FIFA to investigate the alleged distribution" from its headquarters of an anonymous heavily critical "dossier" on UEFA President Michel Platini, according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. 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." Welt am Sonntag said that the document, entitled "Platini -- skeleton in the closet," was distributed out of FIFA's headquarters and paints an unflattering picture of the former France int'l and questions his suitability for the role of FIFA president. The newspaper said the dossier was sent "directly from FIFA headquarters in Zurich to newspapers with a request for publication, but without reference to the author." It said UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino "had written to his FIFA counter-part Jerome Valcke to ask for an investigation of the dossier's creation and distribution." A UEFA spokesperson said, "I can confirm that UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino sent a letter of complaint to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke. We have asked FIFA to investigate the origin of this article because we are concerned by the reports of an alleged smear campaign against the UEFA President." FIFA "will hold an election on Feb. 26 to choose a replacement for Blatter" (REUTERS, 8/15). The BBC wrote Platini "is running to succeed" Blatter as FIFA president. The election is due to take place in February, with former FIFA VP Chung Mong-joon of South Korea, ex-Brazil player Zico and Liberian FA Chair Musa Bility having also said that "they will stand." Platini "was once a close ally of Blatter but their relationship has deteriorated, with Platini telling Blatter to resign" as FIFA president in May, shortly before he did so. In an interview with Dutch newspaper Volkskrant on Saturday, the 79-year-old Blatter said there was an "anti-Fifa virus in Nyon," the Swiss city which is home to UEFA (BBC, 8/16).
