THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TEL AVIV, Israel — UEFA president Michel Platini will seek re-election next year.
Platini, who took office in 2007, said Thursday he was pleased with UEFA’s accomplishments during his term but he believed there was plenty of work ahead.
"I am a happy man, a happy president," Platini told the UEFA Congress in Tel Aviv. "I think we have done quite a lot in the executive committee and we can do more in the future and for this reason I am announcing I am a candidate for the presidency of UEFA."
Platini said he would use the year to gain the support of the 53 member associations. He was expected to easily win re-election at next year’s vote in Paris.
"Of course there is a year of work ahead and then you will vote. You are the bosses," he said.
Platini has taken on a heavy workload in his first term since ousting longtime incumbent Lennart Johansson in a tight vote in January 2007.
The former France international has given European football’s stakeholders — teams, players and local football associations — a bigger voice in running the sport. He also has tried to give teams from middle-ranking nations a better chance of succeeding in the lucrative Champions League.
Platini was a leading voice in the controversial decision to hold the 2012 European Championship in Ukraine and Poland. The decision, meant to give eastern Europe a bigger role in European football, has been criticized because of cost overruns and delays in building stadiums.
On Thursday, Platini said he fully supported Ukraine and Poland, but urged the co-hosts to step up their preparations to make sure the tournament goes smoothly.