Michel Platini is facing the prospect of a number of European countries, including the four British associations, turning their backs on him as a result of his £1.35million (Dh7.6m) payment from FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

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The disclosure that no written contract for the 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, today 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 English 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.

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

Germany’s Wolfgang Niersbach is also being touted as a possible candidate for either FIFA or UEFA presidencies should Platini receive a lengthy ban.

Niersbach told Die Zeit that Platini could struggle to overcome the case. He said: “This case is like a backpack that could force him to his knees.”

UEFA is unlikely to try to rally formal backing from the 54 associations behind Platini today but his supporters may seek to have the FIFA presidential election postponed from February 26 – nominations close on October 26.

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who is standing again in the election, strongly opposes any moves to delay it. He said: “Delaying the scheduled election would only postpone needed change and create further instability.”