FIFA Appeal Committee grants Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini reductions of sentences

by
Ruben Sprich / Reuters

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.

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.

The Digest

Everything you need to know heading into FIFA's presidential election

by
MICHAEL BUHOLZER / AFP / Getty

Disgraced FIFA kingpin Sepp Blatter, so long the teflon president who squirmed and schemed to ensure the money kept flowing into the correct pockets so he could remain in power, will be ousted, officially, on Friday.

When the scandal-ridden head of football's governing body announced his intention to resign in June, the immediate question was obvious: who would succeed the Swiss to become FIFA's first new leader in 17 years?

We're about to learn the answer.

Friday in Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA will hold an extraordinary congress where, among other important decisions, a new chief will be elected.

Here's everything you need to be prepared for FIFA's presidential election:

Meet the men vying to succeed Sepp Blatter

Salman vs. Infantino: The favourites lock horns

Skeletons in Salman's closet?

What about Prince Ali?

Remember them? Blatter, Platini simply won't go away

Advertisement