ST. JULIAN'S, Malta (AP) — A UEFA executive says European football's governing body wants a new president elected before Euro 2016 if Michel Platini replaces Sepp Blatter at FIFA.
Platini is the favorite in the Feb. 26 election to replace Blatter, who is prematurely quitting against a backdrop of escalating corruption scandals.
The European Championship kicks off June 10 in France. UEFA rules currently require three months between the deadline to apply for the presidency and the election itself.
But executive committee member Frantisek Laurinec told The Associated Press that discussions Thursday included that any election "must be done before the kickoff of the European Championship."
Shortening the three-month election period would require the approval of all 54 UEFA members, who meet Feb. 25 — the day before the FIFA election.