FIFA Appeal Committee grants Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini reductions of sentences
Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini will, by virtue of their services to football, be able to return to the beautiful game in 2021, rather than 2023.
On Wednesday, the FIFA Appeal Committee partially confirmed the decisions taken by the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee in December, reducing Blatter and Platini's bans from all football-related activities from eight years to six years.
A mitigating factor in the FIFA Appeal Committee's partial upholding was the activities and services that Blatter and Platini have "rendered to FIFA, UEFA, and football in general over the years should deserve appropriate recognition as a mitigating factor." An appeal for a life ban from all football-related activity was also dismissed, as the FIFA Appeal Committee concurred with the Ethics Committee regarding insufficient evident to establish a breach of bribery and corruption.
Blatter and Platini's bans have been active since Oct. 8, 2015, when the disgraced pair were provisionally banned for a duration of 90 days.
That's global federations (FAs) not the English FA on the FIFA appeal committee...https://t.co/fPqh8O7Xdz pic.twitter.com/MsP5rxrfU7
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 24, 2016
In December, FIFA's Ethics Committee banned Blatter and Platini from all football-related activities after the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland opened criminal proceedings against Blatter in September, suspecting him of making a "disloyal payment" valued at CHF 2 million (£1.35 million, €2 million) to Platini at FIFA's expense in February 2011.
Related: FIFA bans Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini for 8 years
Both Blatter and Platini have denied any wrongdoing over the payment, with the former referring to it as a "gentleman's agreement."
Following the FIFA Appeal Committee's decision, Blatter wasted no time in declaring that he will take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), saying in a statement that was published by the Guardian: "I'm deeply disappointed by the FIFA appeal chamber and the next step is going further to CAS in Lausanne."
On Friday, FIFA's presidential election will take place, where a successor to Blatter will be chosen.