Michel Platini: battling suspension

Joseph Sepp Blatter, suspended FIFA president has told a local Swiss TV that  he  had a “gentleman’s agreement” with Michel Platini over a payment at the centre of a criminal investigation.

“It was a contract I had with Michel Platini, a gentleman’s agreement and that was followed through on,” Blatter told broadcaster RROTV in an interview published on Friday.

Blatter and European boss Michel Platini were suspended last week, as FIFA was engulfed in deepening corruption allegations.

The world’s best loved  sport faces criminal investigations in Switzerland and the United States.

Meanwhile, the English Football Association has suspended support for Michel Platini’s bid to become FIFA president, after learning “more information relating to the issues at the centre of this case from Mr Platini’s lawyers”.

In a statement issued on its website (www.theFA.com), the FA said that “as a result of learning this information, the FA board has on Friday morning concluded that it must suspend its support for Mr Platini’s candidature for the FIFA Presidency until the legal process has been concluded and the position is clear.”

Platini, president of European soccer’s governing body UEFA, denies any wrongdoing.