By Toby Prince
Michel Platini insists all his business is clean amid accusations that he received irregular payments from under-fire FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
The Frenchman, who is UEFA president and a prime candidate to replace Blatter as FIFA boss in February, was interviewed on Friday about money he received in 2011 – nine years after he left FIFA.
But in a letter sent to UEFA Member Associations, Platini explains all the money has been declared and he has nothing to hide.
“I wish to clarify that for the period 1998 to 2002 I was employed by FIFA to work on a wide range of matters relating to football,” he said. “It was a full-time job and my functions were known by all.
“The remuneration was agreed at the time and after initial payments were made, the final outstanding amount of two million Swiss Francs was paid in February of 2011.
“This income has all been fully declared by me to the authorities, in accordance with Swiss law.
“I was interviewed by the Swiss authorities about this matter last Friday, not as a person accused of any wrongdoing, but simply in my capacity as a person providing information.
“Furthermore, I have, today, written to the Ethics Committee of FIFA to request that I may come forward and provide whatever additional information may be needed in order to clear this matter up.
“I am aware these events may harm my image and my reputation and by consequence, the image of UEFA, the organisation of which I am proud to be President.
“For these reasons, I wish to use all my energies to ensure that any issues or misunderstandings can be resolved as soon as possible.”
