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World Cup: UEFA chief hospitalized after fainting

By Kevin Baxter
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Former French World Cup star Michel Platini, now president of European soccer’s governing body, was taken to a Johannesburg hospital Friday after he fainted in a restaurant.

An advisor to Platini told the Associated Press that initial tests showed that Platini’s condition is not serious. William Gaillard said from London that Platini, 55, has had flu symptoms and a mild fever for a few days because of the cold weather in South Africa. Initial news reports said Platini had suffered what appeared to be a heart attack

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Platini is a member of FIFA’s executive committee and World Cup organizing committee. He is in Johannesburg for Sunday’s final.

The French soccer great has run UEFA since 2007. Platini led France to the World Cup semifinals in 1982 and 1986.

-- Kevin Baxter in Johannesburg, South Africa

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Kevin Baxter

Kevin Baxter writes about soccer and other things for the Los Angeles Times, where he has worked for 27 years. He has covered seven World Cups, four Olympic Games, six World Series and a Super Bowl and has contributed to three Pulitzer Prize-winning series at The Times and Miami Herald. An essay he wrote in fifth grade was voted best in the class. He has a cool dog.

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