NYON: All 54 European football nations decided on Thursday to back UEFA President Michel Platini.

Platini received “big support” from his executive committee who called for a rapid decision in his case and said the FIFA presidential election should go ahead in February as planned.

“We strongly call on all instances in the current process...to work very rapidly to ensure that there is a final decision on the merits of the case by, at the latest, mid-November 2015,” said UEFA in a statement.

Platini and FIFA president Sepp Blatter were given a 90-day ban by the FIFA Ethics Committee last week, pending a full investigation into both men’s activities, in the latest twist to the scandal which has engulfed FIFA and international football.

The 60-year-old Frenchman, a frontrunner to take over from Blatter, is being investigated over a $2 million (1.8 million euros) payment made to him by Blatter in 2011 for consultancy work performed years earlier.

Platini is standing in the FIFA presidential election due to be held on Feb 26, although the ban could severely hamper his chances of passing an integrity test which is part of the electoral process.

While Blatter has been replaced at FIFA with Issa Hayatou becoming acting president, Platini retains the UEFA presidency and salary despite officially being banned from stepping into the governing body’s headquarters.

“Currently the president of UEFA is only suspended by FIFA,” UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said.

“For the time being he does receive his salary as he does continue being UEFA president.

“Michel Platini is a candidate for the FIFA presidency. The FIFA Congress which is scheduled to take place on February 26 has to take place then, it should not be delayed.

“If someone else comes up [as a candidate], if another European comes up, it’s too early to say. It was discussed and no decision was taken.”

Platini’s lawyer took questions at Thursday’s meeting of all 54 UEFA members and the executive committee who decided to unanimously continue supporting its leader of eight years.

“We respect the right of Mr Platini to have due process and the chance to clear his name,” added the secretary-general.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2015

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