Michel Platini has drafted in French government ministers in an attempt to clear his name as FIFA continues to be embroiled in controversy.
The UEFA President is under scrutiny over an €1.8 million payment from under-fire Sepp Blatter, the head of soccer’s world governing body.
Platini was the favourite to succeed Blatter as FIFA chief, though his chances of taking power are diminishing as the scandal rumbles on.
In a bid to distance himself from the controversy, he has called on ministers to back him.
"He has the feeling he is clean and he wanted to say it to me again," Secretary of State Thierry Braillard said.
"He explained everything. I fully trust his honesty and his determination to become FIFA president.”
Blatter is under criminal investigation by Swiss authorities but remains in office ahead of a scheduled February election.
Platini is being questioned about a payment of two million Swiss francs he received from Blatter but has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
The French man did admit that the development had damaged his chances of replacing him at the top of FIFA.
French Sports minister Patrick Kanner also gave his support to Platini on Saturday.
"We have not changed our minds on the support we give him,” said Kanner.
“If there was any problem, I do not doubt for a minute that he would have refused to run for FIFA president.
"His message to us was 'continue to trust me'. That's what he wanted to tell us."
Several of FIFA’s biggest sponsors came out during the week and called on Blatter to resign, though he says he isn’t moving.
In what appeared an orchestrated action, Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald's all issued statements saying Blatter should step down immediately.
Blatter's response was to insist that he is staying in office until February but the action of such high-profile sponsors will crank up the pressure on the 79-year-old to an intense degree.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said this should now be the end of the road for Blatter.
Dyke said: "I think this is a game changer. It doesn't matter what Mr Blatter says now - if the people who pay for FIFA want a change they will get a change.
"What is important is that it isn't just about Mr Blatter standing down - it's about making sure there is a comprehensive and effective reform programme. So for those of us who want fundamental change this is good news."
