by Our Sports Desk

Greg Dyke told MPs yesterday that he would have no problem explaining to them why the Football Association is still backing Michel Platini for the Fifa presidency — but accepted that there are issues to be examined over the controversial payment to the Uefa president.

Dyke, the FA chairman, said he had confirmed some weeks ago to the culture, media and sport select committee that he will speak to them about Fifa.

A hearing could take place towards the end of October.

Uefa president Platini is embroiled in controversy surrounding a £1.3 million payment to him from Fifa in February 2011 for work he carried out for Sepp Blatter more than nine years previously.

Blatter has had criminal proceedings opened against him by the Swiss attorney general.

Dyke accepted there were questions over the Platini payment which needed to be clarified and said he would be happy to answer any questions posed by MPs.

He said: “We have agreed some time ago that we will go to the committee and talk about Fifa and I’m happy to go and explain where we are and why we are there — no problem.

“It was a decision by the whole board to support Platini. However, recent events have raised a number of issues which do need to be looked at.”

Committee member Damian Collins MP, the founder of the New Fifa Now campaign group, said Dyke needed to provide answers.

He said: “Greg Dyke is the man who sits at the Fifa congress, representing the Football Association, and who has relations with senior people at Uefa.

“Why is it that they have given Michel Platini their support? Is it unconditional? What would it take for that support to be withdrawn?

“I think many people want to know why the FA nailed their colours to the mast of backing Michel Platini before even the nominations for the presidential elections have closed.”