UEFA Stand by Platini and Urge FIFA to Make Decision “Very Rapidly”

UEFA and its 54 member federations have pledged their support for president Michel Platini and have called on FIFA to make a final decision on the case involving the Frenchman “very rapidly”.

UEFA’s Executive Committee and 54 national associations met in Switzerland today and discussed a number of issues concerning Platini, such as his candidacy for FIFA president and his ongoing criminal investigation which has resulted in him receiving a 90-day ban from the FIFA Ethics Commitee.

UEFA released a statement which read: “We support Michel Platini’s right to a due process and a fair trial and to the opportunity to clear his name.”

“We strongly call on all instances involved in the current process: FIFA’s Ethics Committee, FIFA’s Appeal Committee and ultimately the Court of Arbitration for Sport to work very rapidly to ensure that there is a final decision on the merits of the case by, at the latest, mid-November 2015.”

Speaking after the meeting Austrian federation president Leo Windtner confirmed that UEFA’s member federations were all in support of Platini

“We got a unified position of UEFA,” Windtner said.

“All nations give all support to Mr. Platini.”

This was also reiterated by Russian soccer union president Vitaly Mutko. A statement from the Russian Sports Ministry said: “During the first meeting, which was chaired by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, all members of the UEFA executive committee expressed absolute trust and full support for UEFA president Michel Platini.”

At a post-meeting press conference held by UEFA, general secretary Gianni Infantino also revealed that Platini will continue to be paid his full salary while he serves his suspension.

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