Platini: Change at top of FIFA is 'important' for football

FIFA President Sepp Blatter speaks with UEFA President Michel Platini (L) before the 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match between Germany and Portugal at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador in this June 16, 2014 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

NYON, Switzerland - UEFA President Michel Platini says change at FIFA is "important for soccer."

Platini, a FIFA vice president, says it needs "new ideas, a new program" as longtime leader Sepp Blatter seeks a fifth term on May 29.

UEFA supports all three Blatter opponents: Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, Luis Figo of Portugal and Michael van Praag of the Netherlands.

Platini said at the World Cup last June he would no longer support Blatter, but opted in August not to run against his onetime mentor.

Speaking in a video interview released by UEFA, Platini says the FIFA contest is "a very nice opportunity to open a debate for democratic reasons in the world of soccer."

Platini is running unopposed for the UEFA presidency next week in Vienna.