Lausanne: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday backed a 90-day FIFA ban against Michel Platini, in a new blow to the Frenchman's hopes of entering the FIFA's presidential race. Platini, head of European confederation UEFA and a FIFA vice president, had been the favourite to succeed outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter, until he was named in a Swiss criminal investigation in September.

FIFA suspended Platini and Blatter in October. CAS Secretary General Matthieu Reeb said judges considered whether Platini suffered irreparable damage from the temporary suspension while an investigation over a 1.8 million euros ($2 million) payment was completed. In its appeal, Platini's camp insisted the ex-Juventus star had done nothing wrong and was being unfairly blocked from campaigning for FIFA's presidency.