UEFA express "full confidence" in Platini despite FIFA Ethics Committee ruling

UEFA has stood behind Michel Platini Angel Maria Villar had been expected to serve as UEFA interim President ©UEFA

Europe's football governing body UEFA have vowed to "stand fully behind" their President Michel Platini despite him being handed a 90 day suspension from "all football related activity".

In the latest remarkable twist to the furure engulfing the running of the sport, the UEFA Executive Committee decided this evening there is "no need, as this moment in time, to invoke Article 29 (5) of the UEFA Statutes, pursuent to which the highest ranking vice-president of UEFA may step in to assume the powers and duties of the President in his absence".

This comes after both Blatter and Platini were each provisionally suspended for 90 days as the Ethics Committee investigates corruption allegations against them, while former vice-president Chung Mong-joon, one of Platini's rivals to replace Blatter next year, has also been banned for six years.

A statement added: "This is because the UEFA Executive Committee is aware that the UEFA President will immediately take all necessary steps to appeal the decision of the FIFA Ethics Committee to clear his name.

"Furthermore, the UEFA Executive Committee states that there must be a very rapid final decision on the matter before the relevant bodies, in the interests of both justice and football.

"Finally, the UEFA Executive Committee expressed its full confidence in UEFA President, Michel Platini, and stands fully behind him."

An Emergency meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee will be held in Nyon on October 15, with representatives of all 54 UEFA member associations to meet on the same day.

But, with FIFA's ruling meant to come into force "immediately", the verdict appears to put the world and European bodies on a collision course, with every UEFA Executive Committee member seemingly at risk of punishment for violating an Ethics Committee decision.

Angel Maria Villar had been expected to serve as UEFA interim President ©Getty Images

It has been expected that former Spanish midfielder Angel Maria Villar, UEFA's highest-ranking vice-president who has also faced corruption allegations when heading the unsuccessful joint bid from Spain and Portugal for the 2018 World Cup, would take over on an interim basis.

Meanwhile, Issa Hayatou, who has taken over the running of FIFA on an interim basis, has today reiterated how he has no intention of running for President when elections are held, set to be next year on February 26.

"Today, amid extraordinary circumstances, I have assumed the office of FIFA President pursuant to Article 32 (6) of the FIFA Statutes," said the Cameroonian, who has been involved in two corruption allegations in 2010 and 2011.

"I will serve only on an interim basis.

"A new President will be chosen by the Extraordinary Congress on February 26, 2016.

"I myself will not be a candidate for that position.

"Until the Extraordinary Congress, I pledge that I will dedicate my best efforts to the organisation, the member associations, our employees, our valued partners, and football fans everywhere."