A "dramatic day" for world football
- Blatter to appeal
- Decision by FIFA’s ethics committee
- Relates to 1.7 million euro payment
- Both have denied any wrongdoing
- Bans come into force immediately
Michel Platini et Sepp Blatter suspendus 8 ans par le comité d'éthique de la FIFA https://t.co/GyiI70TVPwpic.twitter.com/IgcjOPEelr
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) 21 Décembre 2015
ADVERTISEMENTFIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA boss Michel Platini have been banned from involvement in international football for eight years.
The decision has been taken by FIFA’s ethics committee.
Why have they been banned?
They were found guilty of breaching the organisation’s code of ethics over a 1.7 million euro payment made to Platini in 2011.
Both have denied any wrongdoing. They claim the payment was for work carried out between 1998 and 2011 when Platini acted as an adviser for Blatter.
Blatter to appeal
At a press conference in Zurich this morning, Sepp Blatter announced he plans to appeal the decision.
He will go to FIFA’s appeals committee and then to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if not successful.
Mr Blatter also said he would consider action under the Swiss justice system.
Sepp Blatter
#Fifa > Sepp Blatter et Michel Platini attendent le verdict de la commission d'éthique >> https://t.co/X7oZvPmRx9pic.twitter.com/HJtbex9WFx
— iTELE (@itele) 21 Décembre 2015
Blatter has been head of FIFA since 1998.
He had already announced his decision to step down before the organisation held an election for president in February 2016.
Observers say that, at 79, the ban effectively ends his long career and involvement with the international game.
Michel Platini
#Fifa > Sepp Blatter et Michel Platini attendent le verdict de la commission d'éthique >> https://t.co/X7oZvPmRx9pic.twitter.com/HJtbex9WFx
— iTELE (@itele) 21 Décembre 2015
60-year-old Platini has been widely tipped to succedd Blatter as a future leader of the sport’s world governing body.
He has been at the head of UEFA since 2007.
During his career, he was given the European footballer of the year award three times. He was also captain of the French national team.