FIFA's ethics watchdog wants Michel Platini banned for life over a suspect payment, the European soccer chief's lawyer told AFP on Tuesday.

The FIFA vice-president is already serving a 90-day suspension while an investigation is held into a $2 million sum he received from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is also suspended.

Platini's lawyer Thibaud d'Ales ­revealed FIFA's life ban demand, which he described as a "scandal" and "excessive."

"This ban is subject to the proof of corruption, but the punishment is ­clearly excessive," D'Ales said.

"It's not based on anything in the case."

Blatter's representatives refused to comment on whether the same request has been made against the Swiss official.

FIFA's investigatory chamber announced Monday that it has opened a case against Blatter and Platini and that it aims to announce a decision next month.

Until then, Platini, the president of UEFA, is forbidden to take part in the race to become Blatter's successor as president of FIFA.

He is one of five candidates to run soccer's scandal-hit ruling body with the election scheduled for February 26.

D'Ales maintained there was a ­concerted effort inside FIFA to prevent ­Platini taking over the top job in soccer. The 60-year-old French soccer legend had been the favorite for the FIFA post until the latest charges were ­announced.

The lawyer commented, "I'm ­wondering if the person in charge of the investigation shouldn't be called instead 'the person in charge of ­eliminating ­Michel Platini' from the FIFA ­presidency?

"It's a pure scandal, and by making it public there's clearly an intention to cause harm.

"The masks are slipping one by one at FIFA. The electoral timetable's being manipulated, and there's a strategy to get rid of Platini as a candidate."

Appeals by both Blatter and Platini against their 90-day suspensions were rejected last week, and Platini has taken his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a decision expected soon.