English FA blow to Platini FIFA presidential bid

Michel Platini's wounded bid for the FIFA presidency suffered a new blow Friday when the English FA suspended support for the French football legend because of new information on his legal battle.

 Suspended FIFA leader Sepp Blatter added to the turmoil surrounding football's governing body when he said a two million dollar payment made to the UEFA president in 2011 was "a gentleman's agreement."

 Pressure mounted on Platini, who was suspended by FIFA alongside Blatter, only a day after UEFA's 54 members gave support.

 The FA said it had been told of more information "relating to the issues at the centre of this case from Mr Platini’s lawyers" at the UEFA meeting on Thursday.

 Because of the information the FA board has "concluded that it must suspend its support for Mr Platini's candidature for the FIFA presidency until the legal process has been concluded and the position is clear," said a statement.

 It said the new information had to be "kept confidential".

 The French leader of UEFA and former football golden boy had been favourite to take over from Blatter in an election in February until he was named in a Swiss criminal investigation into Blatter's management of FIFA.