Platini Appeals to CAS Against Suspension by FIFA

PARIS (AP) — Suspended UEFA president Michel Platini has lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his 90-day ban.

Platini lost his appeal to FIFA's appeals committee this week against the ban that halts his candidacy for the FIFA election on Feb. 26.

Platini's legal team, which needs expected cooperation from FIFA to fast-track the case, said "we are confident that CAS will issue a ruling very quickly given what is at stake."

Sepp Blatter has also been suspended by FIFA's ethics committee pending a full investigation into a $2 million payment Blatter approved for Platini in 2011 as backdated salary.

Blatter and Platini are expected to appear before FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert in December.

Switzerland's attorney general has also opened criminal proceedings against Blatter, and questioned Platini for suspected criminal mismanagement of FIFA money.

(Story by: The Associated Press)