The ethics committee of football's governing body FIFA has suspended embattled President Sepp Blatter and his potential successor for 90 days.
The committee took the action against Blatter and Michel Platini, the head of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Thursday less than two weeks after Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal investigation against Blatter over a $2 million payment to Platini in 2011. Authorities questioned Blatter at FIFA's Zurich headquarters and searched his office.
The suspension will likely derail Platini's bid to succeed Blatter when elections are held in February. The retired French star denied any wrongdoing earlier Thursday when word leaked of his suspension.