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Platini, who is standing in the FIFA presidential election
scheduled for Feb. 26, and incumbent Sepp Blatter were banned
for 90 days by the FIFA Ethics Committee last week pending a
full investigation into both men's activities.
Switzerland's attorney general's office initiated criminal
proceedings against Blatter over a two million Swiss francs
($2.1 million) payment from FIFA to Platini in 2011 for work
carried out by the Frenchman between 1998 and 2002. Both men
have denied any wrongdoing.
Platini's lawyers gave a presentation to all UEFA member
associations on Thursday.
"The FA wishes Mr Platini every success in fighting these
charges and clearing his name, and has no interest in taking any
action that jeopardizes this process," they said in a statement
issued on the FA website on Friday.
"However, notwithstanding the above, at the UEFA meeting on
Thursday, the FA learnt more information relating to the issues
at the center of this case from Mr Platini’s lawyers.
"We have been instructed that the information must be kept
confidential and therefore we cannot go into specifics.
"As a result of learning this information, the FA board has on
Friday morning concluded that it must suspend its support for Mr
Platini's candidature for the FIFA Presidency until the legal
process has been concluded and the position is clear.
"A decision can then be taken on who to support in the
Presidential election on 26 February 2016."
(Reporting by Steve Tongue; editing by Toby Davis)
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