Both men were slapped with 90-day suspensions from all football activities on October 7 as a probe began into a supposed "disloyal" payment Blatter made to the former French international star.

The 79-year-old Swiss reportedly signed off on the transfer of CHF 2 million (£1.3 million/$2.1 million/€1.8 million) to Platini, allegedly for work the former Juventus midfielder carried out for FIFA between 1999 and 2002.

However, the payment was not made until 2011 and questions have been asked over the nine year gap between Platini carrying out the work and receiving his money.

The 60-year-old has claimed that FIFA could not afford to pay him the full amount at the time and that he "did not actively pursue" the matter before eventually asking for the outstanding balance to be settled.

Blatter is also accused of signing a contract with the Caribbean Football Union - headed at the time by another corruption tainted official in Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner - which was "unfavourable" for FIFA.

The pair both deny wrongdoing and appealed their suspensions, but the FIFA Appeal Committee, chaired by Bermudan lawyer Larry Mussenden, rejected both applications.

FIFA communicated their decision to both men today, who now have the option to appeal again at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

Early indications have suggested that both will do so.

A FIFA statement said: "Joseph S. Blatter: the FIFA Appeal Committee rejected the appeal in full and confirmed in its entirety the decision (cf. art. 84 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics) concerning provisional measures taken ex parte by the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee on 7 October 2015.

"However, for the sake of clarity, the procedure of the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee regarding the provisional measures is still ongoing, meaning that the adjudicatory chamber may still confirm, revoke or amend the provisional decision as stated in art. 84 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

"Michel Platini: the FIFA Appeal Committee rejected the appeal in full and confirmed in its entirety the decision (cf. art. 84 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics) confirming the provisional measures taken by the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee on 20 October 2015.

"The decision of the adjudicatory chamber had been passed following the initial decision taken ex parte on 7 October 2015 and after having heard the party in this regard."

The news comes as a further blow to Platini's faltering bid to replace Blatter as President, with an election scheduled for February 26 in Zurich.

FIFA's Ad-hoc Electoral Committee has not yet processed his candidature but should his sanctions be lifted his case will be re-examined and he may be able to run.

Both suspensions are due to expire on January 5, although the Ethics Committee does have the power to trigger 45-day extensions.

According to insideworldfootball, the duo face being banned for seven years if found guilty of wrongdoing.


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