As UEFA's top brass prepare to convene at their Swiss HQ this week amid the fallout from President Michel Platini's ban, "the head of one of Europe's smallest federations has blown open the divisions and uncertainty afflicting European football's governing body," according to Andrew Warshaw of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. UEFA has been "at pains to publicly stand as one behind Platini as he fights his appeal against his eight-year ban whilst at the same time endorsing Gianni Infantino's FIFA presidential candidacy in Platini's place." But Luxembourg FA President Paul Philipp said that the "reality is very different and that UEFA is in danger of becoming a rudderless ship and falling apart at the seams." In a "stark appraisal" of the current political landscape, Philipp said that he cannot see Platini "returning to lead UEFA -- even if he clears his name." And, he revealed that it is "by no means certain that all of Europe's 54 federations will support Infantino at next month's FIFA ballot." Philipp said that while it "makes sense" Platini has pulled out, UEFA "needs to get its own house in order -- and fast." Philipp said, "By reading his (Platini's) statements, I realize that he speaks only of one thing: FIFA. Meantime, UEFA begins to look like a ship without a captain. Especially as its general secretary himself is campaigning." Looking ahead to the FIFA presidential election, Philipp has "given the strongest public hint yet that Infantino will not have Europe all to himself." He said, "You know, among us, he is not the unanimous choice. Moreover, we do not even know exactly who we will vote for" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 1/20).
