Michel Platini is poised to serve a third term as president of UEFA as no rival candidate emerged to challenge him before the election deadline on Christmas Eve.

The former France skipper was first elected to lead European football’s governing in 2007 and stood unopposed for a second term in 2011.

Platini will be confirmed for a third term as president - from 2015 to 2019 - at the UEFA Congress next March.

“UEFA President Michel Platini will be the sole candidate for his current position in the election at the XXXIX Ordinary UEFA Congress in March following the submissions deadline,” read a statement on UEFA’s website.

“The cut-off deadline of 24 December 2014 has passed for submissions of candidacy for the position of UEFA President in the election to take place ... on 24 March 2015.”

Platini has ruled out challenging Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency next May.