The Football Association is standing by its decision to back Michel Platini for the FIFA presidency for the time being at least but says there are issues which need to be “fully examined”.
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Platini is under investigation by Swiss legal authorities and FIFA’s ethics committee over a £1.35 million (Dh7.5m) payment he received from FIFA in 2011 for work carried out for the organisation more than nine years previously.
The UEFA president insists the delay was because of FIFA’s financial position at the time but has not explained why there was a wait of nine years. The issue was discussed at an FA board meeting on Wednesday.
An FA statement said: “In July, The FA board decided unanimously to support Michel Platini if he intended to stand for the presidency of FIFA.
“We did so because we thought he was an excellent president of UEFA and could bring those same leadership qualities to FIFA. We are still of that view. However, events of recent days have raised a number of issues which do need to be fully examined.”
Platini, whose status has been described by the Swiss attorney general as ‘’in between a witness and accused person’’ in the criminal proceedings involving FIFA president Sepp Blatter, has said he is still determined to stand for the presidency in February.
Blatter has also written to all FIFA’s member associations insisting the payment to Platini was legitimate.
The FA statement added: “We are following the ongoing investigation initiated by the Swiss attorney general with which Mr Platini is co-operating with in full.
“We also recognise that Mr Platini has contacted the FIFA ethics committee inviting them to look into the matter and to interview him.
“As we said back in July, the most important matter is the urgent reform of FIFA. We believe the whole structure of FIFA needs to be fundamentally changed.” Blatter’s letter states he will stay on as president until February despite the proceedings.
