The FIFA ethics committee is seeking to impose a lifetime ban from football for Michel Platini, according to his lawyer.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Platini are currently serving 90-day suspensions ahead of the outcome of an investigation by the ethics committee.
Hans-Joachim Eckert, chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of the ethics committee, has opened formal proceedings against the pair, having received the committee's report that investigated an alleged "disloyal payment" of £1.3m made from Blatter to UEFA president Platini in 2011.
The AP claims that Platini's lawyer Thibaut d'Ales has told them that the maximum sanction recommended against the 60-year-old Frenchman is a lifetime ban from all football activity.
Platini and Blatter will face lengthy bans if they are found guilty, with a decision expected in December regarding their futures with world football's governing body.
Former France international Platini has made it clear that he hopes to succeed Blatter as FIFA president when the election takes place on ebruary 26, 2016, but any ban will rule him out of standing.
Both Platini and Blatter saw appeals against their bans dismissed by the committee earlier last week.
Steven Toplis
