PARIS:

Former France captain Michel Platini has confirmed his candidacy for the presidency of European soccer’s governing body. French soccer federation chief Jean-Pierre Escalettes officially announced Platini’s candidacy in a letter to UEFA secretary general Lars-Christer Olsson. The elections will be held in January 2007. Platini, 51, will challenge Lennart Johansson, the 76-year-old Swede who has headed UEFA since 1990.