London, Jul 30 (IANS): The English Football Association expressed their support to UEFA president Michel Platini in his bid to succeed Sepp Blatter as the head of FIFA, a media report said.

"We support Michel Platini's candidacy," the FA chairman Greg Dyke said in a statement on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"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," Dyke said.

Blatter, who has been accused by a group of western countries of corruption but always claimed innocent, has already announced he will quit as FIFA president, with an election set for February 26, 2016.

Dyke said: "While we have yet to see Platini's manifesto, we believe he will fully support an ongoing reform process.

"Platini has been supportive of English football in recent years, not least when he visited St. George's Park last autumn and we spoke at length about the game in this country, our strong leagues, great clubs and fantastic fans."

"We are pleased Platini has decided to stand as a candidate and we look forward to supporting him," the FA chairman said.