FA backs Platini in spite of Fifa investigation

The Football Association has reiterated its support for Michel Platini in spite of the Frenchman being drawn into investigations of Fifa boss, Sepp Blatter

Platini, who is Uefa president, has been questioned over a £1.3m payment he received from Fifa. He said the payment "relates to work which I carried out under a contract with Fifa."

The FA released a statement saying:

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. 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 and we are committed to our efforts to ensure this happens.

– FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION STATEMENT