Michel Platini has been given the firm backing of the English Football Association after formally declaring he is to run for the FIFA presidency -- despite his public backing for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.
The 60-year-old UEFA president said he wants to restore the world governing body's dignity after the corruption crisis which engulfed the organisation and led to Sepp Blatter announcing he will quit the role.
FA chairman Greg Dyke has thrown his weight behind the Frenchman but warned it will be a challenging task to change FIFA. Platini championed Qatar's 2022 World Cup despite the controversy surrounding the bid and the decision to play the tournament in the winter.
Dyke said: "We support Michel Platini's candidacy. We have a good relationship with him and hope he can gain the necessary global backing to lead a new FIFA during the most difficult period in its history.
"Mr Platini has always made it very clear that he voted for Qatar. If all the other people who voted for Qatar had been quite as transparent it would have been more helpful.
"We understand there will be a number of candidates, which should result in a strong and healthy debate. However, we should not underestimate how challenging it will be for anyone to lead an organisation that has been so tainted. The whole structure of FIFA must be reviewed and fundamentally changed.
"With FA vice-chairman David Gill newly appointed to the FIFA Executive Committee and the level of worldwide scrutiny on the reform process, the opportunity is there to bring about positive change. While we have yet to see Mr Platini's manifesto, we believe he will fully support an ongoing reform process."
Platini has also been supportive of the FA in terms of backing an increase in the number of homegrown players in squads, and last year UEFA awarded the semifinals and final of Euro 2020 to Wembley.