FIFA bans Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini for 8 years

In a stunning takedown of the world's most powerful football leaders on Monday, FIFA's ethics committee banned disgraced duo Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini from all football-related activity for eight years, finding them guilty of breaches related to a "disloyal payment" of £1.35 million made to Platini in 2011.

Both were banned "immediately."

Related - 'Combative' Blatter to appeal FIFA ban: 'I will fight ... I'll be back'​

The two men were adjudged by the ethics committee to have broken FIFA rules on conflicts of interest, breach of loyalty, and offering or receiving gifts - Blatter approved the aforementioned payment as uncontracted salary for Platini's work as a presidential adviser from 1999-2002.

"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 in a statement. "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."

Related: Complete FIFA statement on decision to ban Blatter, Platini

Blatter, FIFA kingpin since 1998 and, until now, seemingly capable of avoiding implication in any of the governing body's wrongdoing, continues to deny any culpability in the matter. Indeed, a spokesman confirmed the 79-year-old will appeal against the ban - likely taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Swiss administrator, as has been the case throughout the extraordinary takedown of the corrupt organization he oversees, remained defiant, holding a press conference after the ruling to proclaim his innocence and suggest he is being unfairly targeted.

"I'm really sorry," he said. "I'm sorry. I am sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball. I'm sorry that I'm as president of FIFA this punching ball. I'm 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. I'm sorry for the Federation Internationale de Football Association.

"But I'm also sorry about me, how I'm treated in this world."

He continued:

"I will fight," he said. "I will fight for me and I will fight for FIFA. Suspended eight years for what?"

Platini, the leader of UEFA since 2007 and the man who was expected by many to succeed his mentor as FIFA president at the next election in February, is expected to follow suit in appealing Monday's ruling.

Regardless, the Frenchman's chances at claiming the top role in football's governing body have almost certainly fallen by the wayside.

In addition to their eight-year suspensions, the two men were also hit with fines; Blatter in the amount of 50,000 Swiss francs (just over £46,000). Platini, meanwhile, will forfeit 80,000 Swiss francs (roughly £74,000).

- With files from Agence France-Presse