Platini released from hospital, wants to attend World Cup final

JOHANNESBURG - UEFA president Michel Platini was released from a Johannesburg hospital Saturday morning and is hoping to attend the 2010 World Cup final Sunday between Spain and the Netherlands.

“All the medical tests were normal and Mr. Plantini is looking forward to attending the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Soccer City,” FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot read from a statement Saturday.

The 55-year-old head of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) was admitted to Morningside Medi-Clinic in northern Johannesburg Friday after collapsing at the end of a dinner with colleagues.

South African newspapers reported Saturday that Platini had been dining with former Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier and former Scottish coach Andy Roxburgh.

Initial reports of a heart attack were denied Friday night by both FIFA, world football’s governing body, and UEFA.

“Michel Platini is fine. The report that we saw, that it was a heart attack, (is untrue). He is fine and recovering. He had a cold and he is relaxing. And I’m sure you’ll see him very soon,” said 2010 World Cup chief organizer Danny Jordaan.

Platini is a member of FIFA’s World Cup Organizing Committee.

The Frenchman has also been busy with preparations for the 2012 European Championship in Ukraine and Poland.