Will Michel Platini be back in charge for Euro 2016?
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Michel Platini was smiling when he left the Court of Arbitration for sport in Lausanne on Friday.
If I am president of UEFA, I will be attending all games during Euro 2016
However, the suspended UEFA president faces waiting until the 9 May to find out if his second appeal against a FIFA six-year ban for ethics violations has been successful.
If Platini is absolved, he would be free to resume his duties as UEFA president and attend Euro 2016 in his native France in an official capacity in June and July.
“It was like getting ready to score a goal,” Platini told reporters waiting outside. “I tried to be precise, clear and concise. I did the work, I issued an invoice following the FIFA guidelines and I paid tax on the money.”
“If I am president of UEFA, I will be attending all games during Euro 2016.”
Find out details of the tournament here
Michel Platini to find out by May 9 if CAS appeal against six-year FIFA ban is successful. https://t.co/ZWf6YAUQqUpic.twitter.com/IevMOYpagq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 29, 2016
Why was Platini banned?
FIFA, the governing body for world football, found the 60-year-old guilty of breaching ethical standards over a 1.75 million euro “disloyal payment” made in 2011.
The former French international says the payment was for work he did as a FIFA advisor between 1999 and 2002.
He says the nine-year payment delay was due to FIFA’s financial situation.
The former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, was also found guilty.
Both men deny any wrongdoing.
Hasn’t there already been an appeal?
Yes.
The bans for both men were upheld by FIFA on appeal.
However, they were reduced from eight to six years after the organisation considered the service they had given during their tenure.
Why was Sepp Blatter at the hearing?
Michel Platini's appeal to CAS against FIFA ban will also be attended by Sepp Blatter. https://t.co/0zr6hrFYoDpic.twitter.com/HfaiX0f6IT
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 26, 2016
To give evidence in support of Platini.
The 80-year-old says he approved the payment to Platini as backdated salary.
Blatter’s appeal against his ban will be heard at a later date.
What they are saying
“I am optimistic. We are going to win, I am going to win.” – Michel Platini is hopeful his ban will be overturned.