UEFA ‘Fully Behind’ Platini as he Prepares to Launch Appeal

The UEFA Executive Committee has given its support to president Michel Platini stating that it has “full confidence” in the Frenchman after he was handed a 90-day suspension by FIFA on Thursday. 

Platini was suspended along with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who was suspended prior to Thursday. 

UEFA has called an emergency meeting of its Executive Committee for 15 October in Nyon, where all 54 member federations of UEFA will meet. 

European football’s governing body will not appoint a UEFA vice-president as an interim president at this particular time, due to Platini lodging an appeal against his suspension.

Platini released a strong statement on Thursday rejecting all allegations against him and a willingness to clear his name.

The statement said: “I reject all of the allegations that have been made against me, which are based on mere semblances and are astonishingly vague. Indeed, the wording of those allegations merely states that a breach of the FIFA Code of Ethics “seems to have been committed” and that a decision on the substance of the matter cannot be taken immediately.

“Despite the farcical nature of these events, I refuse to believe that this is a political decision taken in haste in order to taint a lifelong devotee of the game or crush my candidacy for the FIFA presidency.

“I want everyone to know my state of mind: more than a sense of injustice or a desire for revenge, I am driven by a profound feeling of staunch defiance. I am more determined than ever to defend myself before the relevant judicial bodies.

“I want to reiterate in the strongest possible terms that I will devote myself to ensuring that my good faith prevails. I have received numerous messages of support today from UEFA’s member associations and the other confederations encouraging me to continue my work serving football’s interests. Nothing will make me give up on that commitment.”

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