Platini's candidacy surrounded by uncertainty as FIFA reconfirms election date as Feb. 26

FIFA decided on Tuesday to stick with its presidential election date on Feb. 26, as uncertainty surrounded Michel Platini's candidacy.

Platini will not be allowed to stand in the presidential election while his 90-day provisional suspension remains in force, FIFA confirmed after the executive committee meeting met for the first since FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Platini were banned two weeks ago.

The UEFA president has already submitted his candidacy but faces being kept out over a 2011 payment of 2 million Swiss francs (about $2 million) he received for work carried out at least nine years earlier.

A FIFA statement read: "Domenico Scala, in his capacity as chairman of the FIFA Ad-hoc Electoral Committee, provided information to the Executive Committee regarding the ongoing process for the FIFA presidential election.

"He explained that candidacies for the FIFA Presidency that are submitted in due time and form, but which relate to candidates who are subject to a [provisional or definite] ban from taking part in any football-related activity, will not be processed by the Ad-hoc Electoral Committee as long as such ban is valid and in force."

Platini has challenged his suspension and is awaiting the verdict of the FIFA appeals committee. UEFA is pushing for a swift decision in appeals at FIFA and possibly the Court of Arbitration for Sport.