Platini given all clear and released from hospital

French football legend and UEFA president Michel Platini was released from hospital yesterday morning after being rushed there on Friday evening having complained of feeling unwell, FIFA and UEFA announced in a statement.

The 55-year-old, president of UEFA since January 2007, had undergone tests and been kept in overnight as a precaution after being taken ill during dinner at Johannesburg's Le Pigalle restaurant in the Sandton business district.

"Michel Platini left hospital at nine o'clock (0700GMT) this morning where he had been admitted on Friday evening having complained of being unwell," read the statement.

"All the results of the medical tests were normal and Mister Platini can attend the World Cup final on Sunday at Soccer City."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter told French radio station RMC that Platini was fine after the scare.

"He had a little turn but... everything is in order, we are all delighted, there is no problem," said the Swiss, who revealed that Platini had been suffering from a cold and flu and had already decided prior to being taken to hospital not to go to Port Elizabeth for the third place play-off between Uruguay and Germany last night.

"There is therefore no change in the planned programme for him (Platini), and he will be there tomorrow (today) at the final."

According to witnesses, a restaurant client gave Platini cardiac massage before a doctor arrived.

Platini, who has been in South Africa since the start of the World Cup on June 11, was taken to the Morningside medi-clinic, its spokeswoman Natalie Jackson said.

The World Cup ends with the final between the Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg tonight.