Platini's appeal to Court of Arbitration for sport begins

Suspended UEFA President Michel Platini's appeal against his 90-day suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport began today ©Getty Images

UEFA President Michel Platini vowed to “tell the truth and only the truth” as he arrived at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the beginning of his appeal against his 90-day suspension here today.

Platini still remains hopeful of becoming FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s replacement when the Swiss steps down at an Extraordinary Elective Congress on February 26 next year, despite his current ban.

Should CAS uphold the former France international’s appeal, it could revive his FIFA Presidential bid and he would then also be able to attend the draw for the 2016 European Championships, due to take place in Paris on Saturday (December 12).

CAS must decide whether imposing the suspension on Platini, previously the favourite to succeed Blatter, without a full investigation from the Ethics Committee was an excessive punishment.

A decision on Platini from CAS is expected on Friday (December 11).

The former Juventus captain is fighting his ban imposed for his role in an alleged “disloyal” payment of CHF 2 million (£1.3 million/$2.1 million/€1.8 million) made to him Blatter.

The Swiss was also suspended, though he has not yet appealed to CAS.

“My lawyers have done a very good job,” Platini said.

“You know that I don't like injustices.

“I hope that I was well heard today.”

Michel Platini vowed to tell only the truth on the steps of the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier today ©Getty images

Both Blatter and Platini contested their respective bans but these were dismissed by the FIFA Appeals Committee.

The duo deny wrongdoing and Platini's legal team claimed yesterday that a 23-page document published in Le Journal du Dimanche proves he is not guilty of corruption.

His lawyer Thomas Clay described it as "important evidence".

The two are facing up to the potential prospect of being given life bans from football by FIFA Ethics Committee judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, with Blatter and Platini due to face hearings in front of the panel starting on December 16.

The Investigatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee has requested sanctions following its deliberations, with the case now in the hands of the Adjudicatory Chamber.

If Platini is allowed to stand, he will go up against Asian Football Confederation President Sheik Salman bin Al-Khalifa, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, Jordanian FA chief Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Frenchman Jerome Champagne and South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale for FIFA’s top job.

If Platini does stand, Infantino is expected to withdraw and Sheikh Salman may also step down.