FIFA confirms February vote to appoint Sepp Blatter’s successor

Football’s governing body FIFA said on Tuesday its presidential election would go ahead as planned on Feb. 26 and promised it would do more to open up internal investigations into complaints and scandals. The announcement was a blow for UEFA president Michel Platini - a delay in the election mooted by some officials would have given him more time to appeal against a ban from the game and then stand to replace departing leader Sepp Blatter. As it is, he has until Monday to clear his name. Both Blatter and Platini were suspended by FIFA’s Ethics Committee this month, engulfed by a deepening corruption scandal as their sport faces criminal investigations in Switzerland and the United States.

I refuse to believe 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.

UEFA President Michel Platini, responding to his ban

Platini was barred from football for 90 days after it emerged he was paid €2m (£1.35m), which was made in 2011, nine years after the 60-year-old carried out consultation work for Blatter. The former France international has been unable to provide any documents to support his assertion the money - which was paid just weeks before he supported the re-election of Blatter - was for legitimate work. Blatter has already said he would resign but has insisted he has done nothing wrong. Likewise, Platini has vowed to clear his name.

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