Michel Platini has insisted that the changing of the guard at the top of football's world governing body is an "important step" towards a more transparent sport.

FIFA boss Sepp Blatter is to officially step down from his position next February, when a new president is sworn in to take charge.

Blatter, who confirmed at a press conference today that he will not stand for re-election, announced plans to integrate a new 11-strong task force in an attempt to reform football's scandal-hit governing body.

Platini welcomes today's revelations, telling reporters: "I feel it is an important step towards improving overall processes and transparency within the organisation.

"We must now make sure that the reforms outlined today will be undertaken in a swift and effective manner. As I have said various times in the recent past, we need to reform FIFA and we need to do it now.

"Regarding the election, we now have a concrete date which means we can look forward to new leadership which will surely bring with it new ideas and new solutions. This is an exciting time for FIFA because we can work together to improve it and restructure it for the good of the game."

Platini, who has been head of UEFA since 2007, has reportedly been backed by the majority of world football chiefs to stand for the FIFA presidency.