Michel Platini admits Uefa image could be damaged by “disloyal” Fifa payment as Sepp Blatter stays on as president
Uefa president Michel Platini has admitted the governing body's reputation may have been damaged after Swiss authorities alleged he had received a "disloyal" payment from Fifa president Sepp Blatter in 2011.
Meanwhile, Blatter has maintained his innocence and refused to step down from his role in charge of football's governing body despite facing criminal proceedings for the first time.
Read more: Criminal proceedings brought against Blatter
In charges brought against Blatter last Friday, the Swiss attorney general pointed to the payment to Platini for work performed between 1999 and 2002 as evidence of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation from the under-fire Fifa boss.
Platini wrote to Uefa members today to clarify the issue and admitted that "these events may harm my image and my reputation and by consequence, the image of Uefa" but insisted he had not been accused of any wrongdoing.
The former international footballer for France has put himself forward as a potential successor to Blatter who is planning to step down as president in February.
The English FA have previously offered their support for Platini's bid.
In a statement Blatter's attorney said he had explained to Fifa staff that the payment was for advisory work and had been "properly accounted for":
President Blatter on Friday shared with the Swiss authorities the fact that Mr. Platini had a valuable employment relationship with Fifa serving as an advisor to the president beginning in 1998.
He explained to the prosecutors that the payments were valid compensation and nothing more and were properly accounted for within Fifa including the withholding of social security contributions.
Platini similarly argued that the payment was all above board, claiming that the 2m Swiss francs he received in 2011 was outstanding remuneration for work on a "wide range of matters relating to football" between 1998 and 2002.