Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/584253
58 THE Frenchman, who hopes to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president at an election due in February, was suspended on Thursday along with Blatter pending their investigation by FIFA's independent ethics com- mittee. Both men deny wrongdoing but the suspension of the two most powerful leaders in world foot- ball has thrown FIFA into deep- er turmoil as U.S. and Swiss au- thorities probe graft allegations. A spokesman for Platini con- firmed he had formally appealed his suspension, which South America's football confederation called "disproportionate" and "untimely". The French Football Federation (FFF), meanwhile, said it would back Platini if he eventually went to the Lausanne-based CAS in the case that FIFA's appeal com- mittee upheld the ban. CAS is a quasi-judicial body that resolves disputes in sport, often between individuals and disciplinary bodies. "The FFF has adopted the prin- ciple of an appeal if the decision of the FIFA appeal committee does not go Michel Platini's way," a federation spokesman told Re- uters. The federation expects FIFA's appeal committee to reach a de- cision on the matter within eight days. FIFA's ethics probe followed re- ports of a payment of two million Swiss francs ($2.06 million) from FIFA to Platini in 2011, nine years after he completed a spell work- ing for Blatter as an adviser. The Swiss Attorney General said on Sept. 25 it had opened a criminal investigation into Blat- ter concerning the payment and a separate Caribbean television rights deal. Platini is regarded as somewhere "between a witness and an accused person" in the payment case, the Attorney Gen- eral has said. FIFA is due to hold an election on Feb. 26 to replace the outgo- ing Blatter. FIFA's election com- mittee will decide on who will be accepted as full candidates shortly after the deadline for nominations on Oct. 26. That deadline could pose prob- lems for Platini if he remains un- der a provisional ban, as he may find it difficult to pass an integ- rity check. On Friday, FIFA announced it would hold an extraordinary Ex- ecutive Committee meeting on Oct. 20 after pressure from some UEFA associations including England's Football Association. A postponement of the election, which would help give Platini time for his appeal, is likely to be on the agenda. Two sources with knowledge of the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters on Friday FIFA was con- sidering delaying the election. A FIFA spokesperson said "for the time being, the schedule is as it is." South American football con- federation CONMEBOL criti- cised Platini's suspension and said he was the right man to lead FIFA. "Mr Platini has not been found guilty of any accusation and his provisional suspension puts at risk the integrity of the elector- al process for the presidency of FIFA," it said. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2015 Sport FOOTBALL Virtù Ferries This week's winner is RODRICA SIMIANA who collected her two tickets from Virtù Ferries MaltaToday and Virtù Ferries have teamed up to take one lucky winner and a companion every week to Sicily, with two tickets to be won every week in our photography competition. Already been on holiday? Good: we're sending you back if your best photograph from your holidays and travels makes the cut. That's right: send us a good quality image of your holidays and we'll send the best one to the gateway of Italy with Virtù Ferries. Malta - Sicily Express Ferries For more information visit www.virtuferries.com or contact by telephone 23491000 RULES OF THE COMPETITION maltatoday Conditions apply: 1. Tickets for each week's competition can only be won by one person who submits one entry of a high-res image with description. Entrants with more than one entry WILL NOT be considered. Entrants must send a description of photo. 2. Winners will be informed before the end of the week, and then announced on maltatoday.com.mt and MaltaToday on Sunday. 3. By entering this offer, entrants consent to their photos being published and owned by Mediatoday Co Ltd. 4. The entrant with the best photograph will be awarded two (2) return tickets, valid for travel to any Virtù Ferries destination. Mediatoday's decision is final. 5. Tickets are issued free of charge, excluding port charges, and in accordance with Virtù Ferries' rules and regulations. All taxes and charges are to be paid accordingly by the winning entrant upon the issuance of tickets. 6. This offer is closed to employees and contributors of Mediatoday Co. Ltd and Virtù Ferries, or their family members. This week's theme: Travel SEND US PHOTOS FROM YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY PHOTO COMPETITION Photos should be a hi-res image (one per individual entry) with a sentence or two about what inspired you to take your photo. Entrants are kindly reminded not to send in personal family pictures that might be unrelated to theme subjects unless expressly requested. If sending a photo by post, address it to: 'MaltaToday photo competition', Mediatoday, Vjal ir- Rihan, San Gwann, SGN9016 Please supply your daytime telephone number, your name, your home address and an email address. Send the photo via email on info@mediatoday.com.mt [SUBJECT HEADING: MaltaToday photo competition] by next Friday at 9am. Themes may change from one week to the other YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt Michel Platini lodges appeal against FIFA suspension UEFA President Michel Platini is appealing against the 90-day ban imposed by FIFA over allegations of corruption. Michael Platini and Sepp Blatter