Michel Platini Appeals Against FIFA’s 90-Day Suspension

FIFA Vice-president Michel Platini is appealing after the soccer’s world governing body banned him for 90 days while corruption claims are investigated.

Michel Platini, 60, has been suspended along with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Secretary General Jerome Valcke. They all deny wrongdoing.

The former soccer star is the French Football Association’s preference to succeed Sepp Blatter at FIFA presidency.

The French FA wants the Court of Arbitration for Sport to intervene to ensure Michel Platini can stand for election.

FIFA’s ethics committee began its investigation after the Swiss attorney general opened criminal proceedings against Sepp Blatter in September.

Sepp Blatter is accused of signing a contract “unfavorable” to FIFA and making a “disloyal payment” to Michel Platini.

The ethics committee also opened an inquiry into Michel Platini over the 2 million euros payment, which was made nine years after the Frenchman carried out consultation work for Sepp Blatter.

FIFA will hold an emergency meeting on October 20 in Zurich to discuss February’s presidential election, at which a successor to Sepp Blatter will be chosen.

Michel Platini, UEFA’s president since 2007, has been backed by South America’s soccer confederation (CONMEBOL) following his suspension.

CONMEBOL said Michel Platini should be regarded as innocent until proven guilty.

The French Football Federation (FFF) is expecting a decision from FIFA’s appeal committee within eight days.

“The FFF has adopted the principle of an appeal if the decision of the FIFA appeal committee does not go Michel Platini’s way,” said a FFF spokesman.

Swiss Sepp Blatter, 79, won a fifth consecutive presidential election in May but announced he would be stepping down just days later following the launch of two investigations into FIFA by US and Swiss authorities.

Michel Platini is one of the favorites to replace Sepp Blatter and still plans to stand. He has the full backing of UEFA, which is holding an emergency meeting next week.