Asia football chief praises Platini as potential FIFA boss
By Associated Press
Jul 30, 2015 1:50 AM CDT
FILE - In this Friday, May 29, 2015 file photo, FIFA president Sepp Blatter after his election as President, left is greeted by UEFA President Michel Platini, right, at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. Michel Platini has launched his campaign to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, aiming...   (Associated Press)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Michel Platini's chances of becoming the new president of FIFA received a boost Thursday when the Asian Football Confederation chief praised him as "a unique candidate" and urged his member nations to unite behind a single candidate.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said Platini "would bring stability and a smooth transition to normality for FIFA in this difficult situation" but stopped short of formally endorsing the Frenchman to replace the outgoing Sepp Blatter as head of the corruption-stained world body.

The AFC backed Blatter in this year's presidential election despite the fact his challenger Prince Ali bin Hussein came from an AFC member nation; Jordan.

Former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon of South Korea has also signaled his intention to stand in the Feb. 26 election.