Sky sources: Michel Platini upset at lack of support and could stand down as UEFA president

Michel Platini is considering standing down as UEFA president even if he is cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to Sky sources.

Platini had his appeal against a six-year ban from all football-related activity heard at CAS in Switzerland on Friday, saying "we're at the beginning of the game, a new game, in the final... I hope the outcome will be good."

The outcome of the eight-hour hearing, which included testimony from former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, will not be known until May 9, but even if he is successful, the Frenchman is believed to be considering his options after what he sees as a lack of support from key figures in European football, including the English Football Association.

Blatter told German TV stations RTL on Friday: "I was interviewed as a witness of FIFA, I answered questions from FIFA, from the representatives of Mr Platini, and I answered questions from the (CAS) panel.

"I hope I have given important information in this case, which is of interest to me. I hope my participation helps in finding a solution to this problem.

"I found the atmosphere very fair, very correct, and I leave this meeting with a calm conscience."

UEFA is currently without an acting president, with new FIFA president Ginani Infantino's ex-deputy Theodore Teodoridis acting as general secretary on an interim basis ahead of a crucial period for the organisation.

Discussions have been held with leading European clubs to change the format of the Champions League from 2018 in a bid to head off the threat of a breakaway Super League, while preparations continue for Euro 2016, which is to be held in France this summer while the country is in a state of emergency following terrorist attacks.

There is crucial UEFA Congress in Budapest on Tuesday. 

Platini and Sepp Blatter were punished in December over a £1.3m "disloyal payment" made to the Frenchman by the former FIFA president.

They were given eight-year suspensions by FIFA which were reduced by two years in recognition of their services to the game, but both deny any wrongdoing and neither is satisfied by the appeal verdict.

Blatter's appeal against his six-year ban will be heard at a later date.

Meanwhile, FIFA has banned former Caribbean Football Union executive committee member Lionel Haven from all football-related activities for five years.

The investigations against Haven concerned his non-disclosure of information related to cash payments at an event held by the CFU in May 2011.