Embattled European soccer executive Michel Platini has confessed there was no written contract between himself and outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter for an alleged "disloyal payment" that resulted in the pair's suspension from the organization.
Last week, Blatter called a reported 2011 payment of 2 million Swiss francs (roughly $2.2 million at the time) to Platini for work the UEFA president claims he carried out for FIFA between 1999 and 2002 a "gentleman's agreement".
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The transaction is the subject of a criminal investigation by the Swiss attorney general, yet Platini still believes he has the support to be chosen as Blatter's successor.
On Oct. 8, Platina and Blatter were provisionally suspended for 90 days by FIFA's Ethics Committee.
Platini says he undertook the verbal agreement with Blatter because of the trust he had for his colleague.
"For a long time I had neither a lawyer nor an agent to negotiate for me and it was a man-to-man thing," he said in an interview with French daily Le Monde.
"He was to become FIFA president — I trusted him."
Platini, 60, also revealed the details of the work he did for the alleged payment.
"I worked on the reform of the global competition calendar, on the 'Goal Project' — a device to aid and support to poorer federations within FIFA worldwide," Platini said.
"And I accompanied Blatter in many of his travels. In short, I really worked and many people can testify to that."
Platini described the situation as "shameful" and feels his name has been sullied by association.
"I was suspended for three months, but what annoys me the most is to put in the same bag as the others. I find it shameful to be dragged through the mud," he said.
"My lawyers follow FIFA procedures and will invoke the Court of Arbitration for Sport if necessary.
"I hope that all this will go quickly."
Before his suspension, Platini submitted his FIFA election application papers and hopes that his suspension will be lifted — by the FIFA appeal committee or Court of Arbitration for Sport — to allow him to run although he still must pass an integrity check by FIFA's election committee, which will scrutinize all applicants after the deadline closes Oct. 26.
"I don't think I've lost many votes and those who know me know I can look myself in the mirror," Platini told Le Monde. "I'm bullet-proof."