LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) — The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday backed a 90-day FIFA ban against Michel Platini, in a new blow to the Frenchman’s hopes of entering the FIFA’s presidential race.

The decision means Platini will not be allowed to attend Saturday’s draw for the 2016 European Championship in his native France which he helped to organise as UEFA president.

Platini, also a FIFA vice president, had been the favourite to succeed Sepp Blattere as FIFA president until he was named in a Swiss criminal investigation in September.

FIFA suspended Platini and Blatter in October while an investigation was held into a two million Swiss franc (1.8 million euro/$2 million) payment from FIFA.

In its appeal to CAS, Platini’s lawyers insisted the football legend had done nothing wrong and was being unfairly blocked from campaigning for FIFA’s presidency.

But the three CAS judges unanimously decided that no irreparable damage had been caused.

The judges urged FIFA to quickly reach a final decision and also said there should be no extension to the suspension.

Blatter and Platini now faces hearings before FIFA’s ethics watchdog court on December 17 and 18 to answer for the payment made for work as an advisor.

According to Platini’s lawyers, FIFA’s ethics investigators recommended Platini should be banned for life. Blatter also faces further punishment.

FIFA’s verdict could be given as early as December 21.

The provisional suspension of Blatter and Platini ends on January 5.