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Michel Platini receives support from all 54 UEFA nations despite suspension
All 54 member associations of UEFA backed the suspended Michel Platini on Thursday while also calling for a "rapid" solution to his case.
Platini, along with Sepp Blatter, was handed a provisional 90-day suspension earlier this month, barring the two from football activities.
Related: Former UEFA president: FIFA didn't know about Platini's €2-million payment
While UEFA officially supports its president, its members don't want to wait any longer if they have to make a change.
"We support Michel Platini's right to a due process and a fair trial and to the opportunity to clear his name," UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said at a news conference. "We strongly call on all instances involved in the current process - FIFA's ethics committee, FIFA's appeals committee, and ultimately the Court of Arbitration for Sport - to work very rapidly to assure there is a final decision on the merits of the case by, at the latest, mid-November."
Angel Maria Villar, the Spanish FA president and the first vice president of UEFA, chaired the meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, but he's not acting as an interim president for European football's governing body.
A source told the BBC's Richard Conway, however, that there was a "clear split" during the talks.
Uefa source tells BBC there was a clear split within today's meeting over those who still back Platini and those who want "a plan b".
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) October 15, 2015
Platini could yet be handed a longer ban if FIFA's judiciary chamber finds further evidence of corruption. An alleged €2-million payment in 2011 from Blatter to the 60-year-old Frenchman is the subject of a Swiss investigation.
It's uncertain whether the coming days and weeks will affect Platini's bid for the FIFA presidency.
Infantino confirmed that Platini is still a candidate, having filed the relevant paperwork before receiving the suspension, but agreed that the proposed election on Feb. 26 should not be delayed.
"Why should Mr. Platini withdraw his candidacy if he is convinced he has done nothing wrong?" Infantino said. "Let's give him a chance to defend himself, to clear his name, in a quick process but looking at all the details."
Both Platini and Blatter have denied any wrongdoing, and subsequently appealed the decision.
Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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All 54 member associations of UEFA backed the suspended Michel Platini on Thursday while also calling for a "rapid" solution to his case.
Platini, along with Sepp Blatter, was handed a provisional 90-day suspension earlier this month, barring the two from football activities.
Related: Former UEFA president: FIFA didn't know about Platini's €2-million payment
While UEFA officially supports its president, its members don't want to wait any longer if they have to make a change.
"We support Michel Platini's right to a due process and a fair trial and to the opportunity to clear his name," UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said at a news conference. "We strongly call on all instances involved in the current process - FIFA's ethics committee, FIFA's appeals committee, and ultimately the Court of Arbitration for Sport - to work very rapidly to assure there is a final decision on the merits of the case by, at the latest, mid-November."
Angel Maria Villar, the Spanish FA president and the first vice president of UEFA, chaired the meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, but he's not acting as an interim president for European football's governing body.
A source told the BBC's Richard Conway, however, that there was a "clear split" during the talks.
Uefa source tells BBC there was a clear split within today's meeting over those who still back Platini and those who want "a plan b".
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) October 15, 2015
Platini could yet be handed a longer ban if FIFA's judiciary chamber finds further evidence of corruption. An alleged €2-million payment in 2011 from Blatter to the 60-year-old Frenchman is the subject of a Swiss investigation.
It's uncertain whether the coming days and weeks will affect Platini's bid for the FIFA presidency.
Infantino confirmed that Platini is still a candidate, having filed the relevant paperwork before receiving the suspension, but agreed that the proposed election on Feb. 26 should not be delayed.
"Why should Mr. Platini withdraw his candidacy if he is convinced he has done nothing wrong?" Infantino said. "Let's give him a chance to defend himself, to clear his name, in a quick process but looking at all the details."
Both Platini and Blatter have denied any wrongdoing, and subsequently appealed the decision.
Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Continue reading...
