Monday 19 October 2015 16:29, UK
The Football Association has come under criticism for its handling of Michel Platini's bid to become FIFA president.
Conservative MP Damian Collins labelled the FA's behaviour 'massively disappointing' after suspending their support for the UEFA president last Friday.
Platini received a £1.35m payment from FIFA president Sepp Blatter in 2011 and both have been handed provisional 90-day suspensions while the payment is investigated.
Collins, who sits on the Government's Select Committee for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "It was wrong for them to throw their weight behind Platini even before all the candidates had been nominated.
"They should have suspended their support for him immediately when the criminal investigation into the payment he received from Blatter went public.
"For them to do so now shows they've done so in the face of overwhelming pressure and evidence, not because they've done the right thing."
FIFA's Executive Committee holds an emergency meeting on Tuesday, where it will discuss whether to delay the presidential election - due to take place on February 26.
"The sensible thing would be to pause the election, for the executive committee to agree there should be an interim independent president with an independent reform commission," Collins added.
Collins claimed even if Platini were to clear his name, he would find it 'impossible' to succeed in his bid for FIFA Presidency.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, Platini launched his defence.
"I am the only one who can ensure that FIFA again becomes the home of football," he said. "But, whenever I approach the sun, like Icarus, it burns everywhere."
Platini claims the payment relates to a period between January 1999 and June 2002, when he worked as a consultant for Blatter, but no written contract for the sum has so far been provided. Blatter and Platini deny any wrongdoing.
Collins also warned the FA against backing Bahrain's Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
The investigation surrounding Platini has left Sheikh Salman, the Asian Football Confederation president, in a strong position for the FIFA presidency after he received support from several European countries.
Salman's potential candidacy also faces scrutiny. He denies allegations over human rights abuses in his native Bahrain.
"If they were to throw their weight behind another FIFA insider like Salman, it would just show they don't understand the need for real change and real reform led by someone new," Collins said.
"Does FIFA need Salman? No it doesn't, there are other people who can take that role. So why take that risk and not take someone who is a break from the past?"
