Greg Dyke says Michel Platini has questions to answer
Friday 2 October 2015 16:53, UK
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke is still backing Michel Platini for the FIFA Presidency but accepts the Frenchman has questions to answer over a £1.3m payment he received from Sepp Blatter.
UEFA president Platini is embroiled in controversy surrounding the payment to him from FIFA in February 2011 for work he carried out for Blatter more than nine years previously.
Dyke's continued support for Platini has been questioned by Damian Collins MP, the founder of the New FIFA Now campaign group.
Collins told Sky Sports News: "Greg Dyke is the man who sits at the FIFA Congress, representing the Football Association, and who has relations with senior people at UEFA. Why is it that they have given Michel Platini their support? Is it unconditional? What would it take for that support to be withdrawn?
"I think many people want to know why the FA nailed their colours to the mast of backing Michel Platini before even the nominations for the presidential elections have closed."
Dyke insists he had confirmed some weeks ago to the Culture, Media and Sport select committee that he will speak to them about FIFA. A hearing could take place towards the end of October.
And he says he will have no problem in explaining to MPs why the Football Association is still backing Platini - but accepts there are issues to be examined over a controversial payment to the UEFA president.
He said: "We have agreed some time ago that we will go to the committee and talk about FIFA and I'm happy to go and explain where we are and why we are there - no problem.
"It was a decision by the whole board to support Mr Platini, however recent events have raised a number of issues which do need to be looked at."
