AFP, Rome :
Former Brazilian football star turned politician Romario on Tuesday described UEFA president Michel Platini as coming “from the same school” as his FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter.
Now a Brazilian senator with an anti-corruption stance, the 1994 World Cup winning striker was asked his thoughts on the upcoming leadership election at FIFA, world football’s governing body, where Platini is bidding to succeed Blatter.
“FIFA is corrupt and at its heart is a cartel. Some of them have been arrested and others will follow. I hope and pray every day that Blatter will be one of them,” Romario told Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday.
“As for Platini, he’s from the same school as Blatter,” said the 49-year-old former PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona star.
FIFA has been embroiled in a major corruption scandal, but while not suggesting that Platini was involved in illicit affairs Romario said the Frenchman had moved in the same circles as Blatter.
“Blatter’s at the head of this school of dishonest people who can influence the world of football without necessarily being corrupt,” he said.
