Paraguay backs Platini for Fifa top job

ASUNCION Paraguay has offered to be one of the official backers of Michel Platini’s bid for the Fifa presidency, its football association said in a letter sent to world football’s governing body.

Candidates for the Fifa presidency have to present the written support of five national football associations by October 26, four months before the election.

The Paraguayan Football Association said in a letter to Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke it was “honoured to officially offer ” its backing for Platini’s candidacy.

Platini, president of European football ’ s ruling body Uefa, has emerged as the early frontrunner

– in the race to replace Sepp Blatter as head of Fifa.

South Korean Chung Mongjoon, former Brazil great Zico and Liberian FA president Musa Bility have announced they will run in the February presidential poll.

South African businessman and former cabinet minister Tokyo Sexwale is also considering a bid, a spokesman said on Saturday.

Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term as Fifa president on May 29, but four days later he said he would lay down his mandate as Fifa became embroiled in the worst crisis in its history.

Each of Fifa’s 209-member associations hold one vote in the presidential election.