Platini receives 4 more years as UEFA president

After the UEFA Congress gave Platini a second four-year term heading up European footballs governing body, he received a one-minute standing ovation.FIFA President Blatter and his challenger bin Hammam watched in the opulent Grand Palais as Platini earned a second mandate by popular demand from Europes 53 footballing nations.Bin Hamman said this week hes prepared to strike a deal with Platini to oust Blatter. Blatter, the president since 1998, said on Tuesday his next term will be his last if hes re-elected in June.The UEFA presidents achievements in his first term in office include opening up its marquee national team event and Champions League competition to more mid-ranking teams. Euro 2016, which was awarded to his native France last year, will be the first with 24 teams instead of 16.Platini also restructured the Champions League qualifying rounds to ensure more teams from smaller countries would reach the lucrative group stage. Platini has also driven through financial fair play rules to curb clubs spending on buying and paying players. He has described as cheating if clubs spend beyond their means chasing success, often threatening their survival.Platini outlined his manifesto for action through 2015, when the former France captain and coach is expected to be a strong candidate for the FIFA presidency. He pledged to step up efforts tackling the scourges of violence in stadiums and match-fixing linked to betting rings.