体坛英语新闻：UEFA to discuss Platini's future

PARIS, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- UEFA president Michel Platini's future will be decided on some level as UEFA members meet in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday to discuss his presidency and his candidacy for FIFA.

The 60-year-old Frenchman has been provisionally suspended from all football activities for 90 days by FIFA's ethics committee a week ago in the wake of his two million Swiss franc payment in 2011 from FIFA president Sepp Blatter, pending a disciplinary hearing.

Platini, who failed to provide written contract for the payment to FIFA's ethics committee, explained that the money was received with respect to his work undertaken for Blatter from 1999 to 2002.

UEFA, who stated to fully support Platini despite the 90-day ban, will call up a full executive meeting, minus the suspended Platini, to consider his future as the head of the European soccer's governing body.

A formal meeting of UEFA's 54 member associations will meet in following to discuss the former French national player's bid for FIFA presidency as the deadline for nominations is October 26.

According to sources close to Platini, the Frenchman's lawyers will address the meeting to offer a full explanation of the current situation with hopes of member states continuing to support Platini.

A number of executive committee members still want absolute proof from Platini's lawyers over the payment he received from Blatter in the form of a written contract, said the sources.

Platini could be forced to stand down as UEFA President if they vote against him, before UEFA invoked statues requiring its highest-ranking vice president Angel Maria Villar to be appointed acting president.