UEFA’s members "are split going into Thursday’s Nyon meeting over the future" of Michel Platini, with some already considering a plan B that would involve backing Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa to be the next FIFA president, according to Owen Gibson of the London GUARDIAN. With Platini suspended by FIFA’s ethics committee and under pressure to explain why he received a £1.35M payment from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the members of UEFA’s exec committee "are understood to be conflicted over the way forward." Platini’s lawyers will address the exec committee, which will be chaired by Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Ángel María Villar in Platini’s absence, "before leaving the room while the affair is discussed." The committee is then expected to put recommendations before the 54 UEFA members, "who will meet in the afternoon." Platini said that he still intends to stand for the FIFA presidency but opinion toward him "is hardening" among some on the UEFA exec committee. Allan Hansen of Denmark suggested that "it should withdraw support from the president if he cannot provide a written contract" for the £1.35M payment made nine years after it was claimed the money was due. FA Vice Chair David Gill, who was persuaded by Platini to sit on the UEFA and FIFA exec committees, "is also expected to ask for definitive written proof the payment was made under contract." The FA "is believed to be on the verge of withdrawing its support for Platini" (GUARDIAN, 10/14).
RECONSIDERING: The PA reported the Dutch FA (KNVB) joined the Danish FA (DBU) in stating publicly that "it may reconsider its backing for Platini." KNVB Dir of Professional Football Bert Van Oostveen said, "Platini must now deliver legal and convincing evidence that he is innocent. If there is no logical explanation for the payment, then I think the KNVB must reconsider its support. We need to be convinced." KNVB President Michael Van Praag "is keeping a close watch on the situation and may emerge as an untainted alternative to Platini." Van Oostveen added, "I think he is a more than excellent candidate." German Football Federation (DFB) President Wolfgang Niersbach "is also being touted as a possible candidate for either FIFA or UEFA presidencies should Platini receive a lengthy ban" (PA, 10/14).
In London, Oliver Kay wrote Platini "still has significant backing in other confederations," particularly in South America, but "it remains to be seen" if his presidential bid would survive the loss of European support (LONDON TIMES, 10/15).
MOURINHO FINED: In London, Joe Shread wrote Chelsea Manager José Mourinho’s "troubled season took a fresh turn for the worse after he was given a suspended one-match stadium ban" and a £50,000 ($77,400) fine by the FA. Mourinho "admitted to implying bias on the part of match officials and bringing the game into disrepute after his comments in the wake of the west London club’s 3-1 defeat to Southampton at Stamford Bridge before the international break." Mourinho "embarked on an astonishing seven-minute televised rant in response to a single question after the club’s fifth defeat of the season," in which he claimed that referees were "afraid" to give Chelsea penalties (LONDON TIMES, 10/14).
