UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino is to stand for the presidency of FIFA after receiving the backing of the Executive Committee of European football's governing body on Monday.

"We are delighted that Gianni has agreed to stand," said UEFA in a statement.

Candidates to run in the election set for February 26 must officially submit their bids by midnight on Monday, and UEFA's statement added: "He is in the process of submitting the required nominations and will issue a statement on his candidacy later today."

UEFA did not clarify what Infantino's candidacy means for Michel Platini, the UEFA president who is also running for the FIFA leadership but is currently serving a 90-day ban from football.

Source: AFP