Regan speaks out on Platini’s FIFA investigation

Stewart Regan has entered the FIFA controversy involving Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini.

On Friday it emerged that a criminal investigation had been started against Blatter with one of the areas of concern relating to a payment made to Platini.

Earlier today the Frenchman issued a statement in which he attempted to explain that the payment he received in 2011 was related to work with FIFA between 1998 and 2002.

In May of this year Regan backed Platini’s bid to replace Blatter as head of FIFA prompting Grant Russell of STV Sport to ask about the nine year gap before payment.

Responding through his twitter account Regan said: “Absolutely Grant, it is an essential piece of information that still needs to be provided.”

While Regan gets involved in the controversies involving FIFA the SFA could find themselves involved in the upcoming court cases involving Charles Green, Paul Clark and Dave Whitehouse.

The key to the asset transfer of Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park was a licence to play football with the SFA involved in lengthy negotiations before giving Sevco 5088/Sevco Scotland a remit to play football.

@STVGrant absolutely Grant, it is an essential piece of information that still needs to be provided.

— Stewart Regan (@StewartMRegan) September 28, 2015

Green, Clark, Whitehouse and four others will appear in court next month charged with serious fraud which could put the validity of the club from Ibrox in the spotlight.

After a weekend of speculation UEFA President Platini decided to speak about, issuing a statement which read: “I wish to clarify that, for the period 1998 to 2002, I was employed by FIFA to work on a wide range of matters relating to football.

“It was a full-time job and my functions were known to all. The remuneration was agreed at the time and after the initial payments were made, the final outstanding amount of two million Swiss Francs was paid in February 2011.

“This income has all been fully declared by me to the authorities, in accordance with Swiss law.

“I was interviewed by the Swiss authorities about this matter last Friday, not as a person accused of any wrongdoing, but simply in my capacity as a person providing information.

“Furthermore, I have today written to the ethics committee of FIFA to request that I may come forward and provide whatever additional information may be needed in order to clear this matter up.

“I am aware that these events may harm my image and my reputation and, by consequence, the image of UEFA – the organisation of which I am proud to be president.

“For these reasons, I wish to use all my energies to ensure that any issues or misunderstandings can be resolved as soon as possible.”