Report: AFC president Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa to run for FIFA presidency

Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, the Bahraini president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), will reportedly be throwing his hat in the ring for the FIFA presidency.

Sheikh Salman has resolved to stand for the FIFA presidency after receiving "strong expressions of support from Europe, Asia, South America, and elsewhere," reports Owen Gibson of the Guardian, citing sources in Asia.

The report comes as UEFA president Michel Platini finds himself defending an alleged "disloyal payment" valued at CHF 2 million (£1.35 million) he received from outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter in February 2011 and led to FIFA's Ethics Committee provisionally banning the pair from all football activities for 90 days.

Related: Blatter: Payment to Platini based on 'gentleman's agreement'

Sheikh Salman's reported determination to run comes as a massive blow to Platini's bid for the FIFA presidency.

On Thursday, Platini received support from all 54 UEFA member associations as UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said at a news conference: "We support Michel Platini's right to a due process and a fair trial and to the opportunity to clear his name."

Related: Michel Platini receives support from all 54 UEFA nations despite suspension

However, BBC Sport reports there's a split among senior UEFA figures when it comes to backing Platini:

Meanwhile, the Guardian revealed Wednesday there's already been discussions about backing Sheikh Salman in the event that Platini's name fails to appear on the ballot.

UEFA's backing of Sheikh Salman would essentially be a fatal blow for Platini's presidential bid. However, he's unlikely to receive support from those who believe that only an external and independent figure can clean up FIFA from the corruption scandal that has engulfed the governing body.