Platini 'might have' promised U.S. his vote for World Cup bid, but voted for Qatar

UEFA president and FIFA presidential nominee Michel Platini might have broken a promise to the U.S. Soccer Federation after meeting with France's then-president Nicolas Sarkozy, but says he'll diminish the influence of politics at FIFA.

Platini says he "might have told" American officials he was planning to vote for U.S. Soccer's bid to host the 2022 World Cup, according to the Associated Press' Tales Azzoni. Platini then met with Sarkozy, changed his mind, and voted for Qatar's bid, which ultimately ended up winning.

"Sarkozy never asked me to vote for Qatar, but I knew what would be good," Platini said with a smile.

Related: FA backs Michel Platini to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president

Dealing with politicians - French, American, or otherwise - is part and parcel of working in FIFA's executive ranks. People around the world love the beautiful game, after all. But Platini says those relationships will be less important if he becomes FIFA president.

"We have to care about the game, not politics," Platini said, ahead of FIFA's executive committee meeting in Zurich. "With me, there won't be politics. With me, it's about football, not politics."

Platini added he wanted to "restore the image of FIFA," telling reporters, "A good FIFA is like a good referee; nobody speaks about it."