by Our Sports Desk

Michel Platini faced the prospect of a number of European countries, including the three British associations, turning their backs on him yesterday as a result of his dodgy £1.35 million payment from Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

The disclosure that no written contract for the 2m Swiss franc payment has been provided to Fifa’s ethics committee — which has provisionally suspended Uefa president Platini and Blatter for 90 days pending a disciplinary hearing — has caused consternation among those who had initially backed the Frenchman.

The 54 associations who make up Uefa are meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, on Thursday to discuss the crisis.

Officials from several of the associations have all said they would not be prepared to continue to support Platini in his ambitions of running for the Fifa presidency if no written agreement exists.

That is understood to include the FA, which had remained behind Platini until news of the lack of contract emerged this week, since when its position has changed.

The Dutch FA (KNVB) has joined the Danish FA (DBU) in stating publicly that it may reconsider its backing for Platini.

Bert Van Oostveen, director of professional football of the KNVB, said: “Platini must now deliver legal and convincing evidence that he is innocent.

“If there is no logical explanation for the payment, then I think the KNVB must reconsider its support. We need to be convinced.”

KNVB president Michael Van Praag, who ran as a candidate against Blatter in May before withdrawing just before the election to support Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, is keeping a close watch on the situation and may emerge as an untainted alternative to Platini.

Van Oostveen added: “I think he is a more than excellent candidate. When Van Praag fits into the picture, the KNVB will certainly think about it. First the questions around Platini should be clarified but it will certainly be discussed in the corridors.”

Germany’s Wolfgang Niersbach is also being touted as a possible candidate for either of the Fifa or Uefa presidencies should Platini receive a lengthy ban.

Niersbach said that Platini could struggle to overcome the case.

He said: “This case is like a backpack that could force him to his knees.”