Michel Platini: 'Big majority of UEFA want Prince Ali'

UEFA chief Michel Platini has claimed that a "big majority" of UEFA representatives will vote for Prince Ali at tomorrow's FIFA presidential election.

Speaking at a press conference in Zurich, Platini urged all national associations to lend their support to Ali, who is Sepp Blatter's only opposition.

Platini expects up to 50 of the 53 UEFA nations to vote for Prince Ali, but admitted that he is hoping for a unanimous decision.

Despite calls to postpone the election yesterday, it was confirmed by Ireland's Football Association chief executive John Delaney that UEFA will not boycott the vote.

"I feel pain in my stomach. As someone who has worked with FIFA for many years, I am absolutely sickened," BBC Sport quotes Platini as saying.

"A big, big big majority of the European associations will vote for Prince Ali. I think Europe can bring a lot of votes. I hope 53, but a minimum of 45-46 if I trust everybody.

"I asked him for a face-to-face meeting, and I said, 'Look Sepp, we started at Fifa in 1998, and for the future of Fifa, I am here to ask you to leave, to resign.'"

Blatter, who held an emergency meeting with FIFA officials earlier today, refused to accept Platini's request to leave his position.