SEPP Blatter will reportedly appeal against an eight year ban he received along with Michel Platini, as FIFA’s ethics watchdog effectively moved to end the careers of football’s two most powerful men.
FIFA president Blatter, 79, and vice president Platini, 60, were suspended after Swiss prosecutors started a criminal investigation into a cash transfer that Blatter approved for Platini in 2011. |
| FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter attends a press conference as reaction to his banishmentSource:Getty Images |
“I am sorry,” said Blatter. “I am sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball. I am sorry that as president of FIFA I am a punching ball. I am sorry for football. I am sorry for the 400 plus FIFA members. I’m sorry. I am sorry about how I am treated in this world of humanitarian qualities.”
Platini also said he would appeal the ban, releasing a statement describing the FIFA decision as a “masquerade” intended to “dirty” his name.
“Parallel to going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I am determined to apply to, at the right time, civil courts to obtain damages for all the prejudice I have suffered over very long weeks,” Platini said.
Ethics judges ruled that Blatter broke FIFA Code of Ethics rules on conflicts of interest, breach of loyalty and offering gifts. Platini broke rules on conflict of interest and loyalty.
Both denied wrongdoing in 2011 when Platini took $US2 million ($A2.79 million) of FIFA money approved by Blatter as uncontracted salary for work as a presidential adviser from 1999-2002.
Blatter was angered by the decision, saying he was “betrayed and astonished”.
“I will fight, I will fight for me and for FIFA,” said Blatter. “Suspended for eight years, and for what?”
On @telegraph_sport back, the end of an error: Blatter and Platini's #FIFA wipeout pic.twitter.com/KZj72yV9V2— James Silver (@JamesSilver3) December 21, 2015The FIFA judges’ ruling is set to have far-reaching repercussions. The bans effectively spell the end of Blatter’s and Platini’s careers in football administration.
Platini’s ban would deal a fatal blow to the European football chief’s hopes of taking over as head of FIFA when an election for a new president is held on February 26.
“This decision does not surprise me,” Platini said.
“I am convinced that my fate was sealed before the hearing of December 18 and that this verdict is just a pathetic coverup for a desire to eliminate me from the world of football.
“On the football field and in the exercise of my mandates, my behaviour has always been irreproachable and I am at ease with my conscience,” the former star player said.
FIFA investigators had sought life bans against Blatter and Platini and both men had signalled that appeals would be made.
Blatter was fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($50,250) and Platini, a FIFA vice-president of head of European soccer’s governing body, was fined 80,000 Swiss francs ($80,400).
“Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr. Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment,” the judges said. “By failing to place FIFA’s interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA’s interests, Mr. Blatter violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA.
“His (Blatter’s) assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.”
Platini, the judges said, “failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities.”
Platini’s ban would deal a fatal blow to the European football chief’s hopes of taking over as head of FIFA when an election for a new president is held on February 26.
“This decision does not surprise me,” Platini said.
“I am convinced that my fate was sealed before the hearing of December 18 and that this verdict is just a pathetic coverup for a desire to eliminate me from the world of football.
“On the football field and in the exercise of my mandates, my behaviour has always been irreproachable and I am at ease with my conscience,” the former star player said.
FIFA investigators had sought life bans against Blatter and Platini and both men had signalled that appeals would be made.
Blatter was fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($50,250) and Platini, a FIFA vice-president of head of European soccer’s governing body, was fined 80,000 Swiss francs ($80,400).
“Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr. Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment,” the judges said. “By failing to place FIFA’s interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA’s interests, Mr. Blatter violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA.
“His (Blatter’s) assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.”
Platini, the judges said, “failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities.”
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