A new candidate has tossed his name in the hat for FIFA president.

France's Michel Platini is currently the president of European soccer's governing body, UEFA, and a FIFA vice president. He wrote in a UEFA press release that he wanted "to give FIFA back the dignity and the position it deserves."

According to The New York Times , Platini became a "heavy favorite" in the election, simply by announcing his campaign. Also, England's Football Association (FA) quickly announced it supported him: "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," FA Chairman Greg Dyke said in a statement.

The presidential contest follows a major corruption scandal, and the decision by FIFA'S longtime president Sepp Blatter to resign.

A former player for France himself, Platini joined FIFA's executive committee in 2002, writes the BBC . What's his reputation like?

"Platini can fairly lay claim to being 'a football man', his status as a genuine great former player a rarity in Fifa's corridors of power, earning him respect and admiration," says [BBC sports editor Dan Roan.]..."However, he has been accused of tarnishing the qualification process for the European Championships by meddling with the competition to increase it to 24 teams."He has also been criticised for his pan-European vision for Euro 2020, while his stubborn opposition to goal-line technology also makes it hard for him to present himself as a reform candidate."Most importantly, despite his recent opposition to Blatter, he is associated with the outgoing president's regime."

As we reported previously on The Two-Way , the election will take place Feb, 26, 2016. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced his resignation in June.

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