The English Football Association on Wednesday gave backing to Michel Platini to become FIFA president but said issues surrounding the Frenchman, named in a Swiss criminal investigation, need to be "fully examined."

The fast-moving FIFA case was discussed at an FA meeting on Wednesday and the English body released a cautious statement after.

"In July, The FA board decided unanimously to support Michel Platini if he intended to stand for the presidency of FIFA. We did so because we thought he was an excellent president of UEFA and could bring those same leadership qualities to FIFA. We are still of that view," said the statement.

"However, events of recent days have raised a number of issues which do need to be fully examined."

Swiss investigators have placed FIFA president Sepp Blatter under criminal investigation, part of which includes a two million dollar payment made by football's governing body to Platini, president of UEFA.