Michel Platini called FIFA's eight-year ban a "kick in the teeth" but vowed in an interview with AFP on Tuesday to fight on for the presidency of world football's governing body. The FIFA vice president and UEFA leader condemned the ethics committee that banned him on Monday but said he would "fight to clear my name."
Platini's ban from all football activities prevents him from standing in the February 26 election to find a replacement for FIFA president Sepp Blatter and working as UEFA president. Blatter and Platini were suspended for eight years over a 2 million Swiss franc ($2 million/1.8 million euro) payment made to Platini in 2011 for work carried out between 1999 and 2002. Platini is determined to plough on in his quest to become the most powerful man in football.