Publications
Partners
Nyon - Michel Platini has the support of all 54 UEFA members although the president of Europe's football body is suspended in connection with receiving a "disloyal payment" from FIFA boss Joseph Blatter, UEFA general secretary Ginanni Infantino said on Thursday.
Infantino said the UEFA executive committee and all 54 member federations heard a presentation from Platini's lawyer and then agreed to back the 60-year-old Frenchman.
Platini was not able to attend himself because of the suspension by the FIFA ethics committee.
Infantino said a statement was agreed upon in which UEFA "support Platini's rights to a fair process and opportunity to clear his name ... We strongly call on all instances to work very rapid to have a final decision on the merits of the case by mid-November."
Swiss authorities have launched a criminal probe against Blatter which includes the payment of 2 million Swiss francs (2.09 million dollars) to Platini in 2011 for work done for FIFA between 2009 and 2012. The FIFA ethics committee suspended Blatter and Platini last week, against both are appealing. The case could also go before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Platini is set to run for the FIFA presidency in February for which the application deadline is October 26, followed by an integrity check. Platini submitted his candidacy before the suspension.
