All 54 European soccer nations decided Thursday to back Michel Platini while the UEFA president fights to clear his name. Platini and FIFA President Sepp Blatter were suspended for 90 days last week by the FIFA ethics committee following an investigation into a payment from soccer's world governing body. While Blatter has been replaced at FIFA by acting president Issa Hayatou, Platini retains the UEFA presidency and salary despite officially being banned. "Currently the president of UEFA is only suspended by FIFA," UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said. "For the time being he does receive his salary as he does continue being UEFA president." Platini also still hopes to stand in the Feb. 26 FIFA presidential election, even though it seems hard for him to be declared eligible once the candidate integrity checks are conducted after Oct. 26. "Why should Mr. Platini withdraw his candidacy if he is convinced he has done nothing wrong and he can clear his name?" Infantino said. "Let's give him the chance to defend himself, to clear his name." Platini received 2 million Swiss francs (about $2 million) from FIFA in 2011. He says the money was unpaid additional salary from his job as Blatter's adviser between 1998 and 2002. Before Thursday's meeting, several European associations said they wanted more details on why Platini waited nine years to collect the money, which was not covered by a written contract. Platini's lawyer took questions at Thursday's meeting of the UEFA members and the executive committee, where it was unanimously decided not to withdraw backing for its leader of eight years. "We support Michel Platini's right to a due process and a fair trial and to the opportunity to clear his name," UEFA said in a statement it said was agreed to by the executive committee and 54 members. Austrian federation president Leo Windtner confirmed that "all nations give all support to Mr. Platini" in a unified position. Platini is appealing against the interim suspension, but even if that is lifted he would still be facing the full verdict on the case by FIFA's ethics judge. Hours before being suspended last week, Platini submitted his election paperwork to FIFA. "Michel Platini is already a candidate for the FIFA presidency," Infantino said, overlooking the fact that status is only declared by FIFA's election committee. — AP
