Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA chief Michel Platini have won their second legal battle against Swiss prosecutors.
A Swiss federal court cleared both men of fraud and financial misconduct charges in a long-running case that spanned more than a decade.
Blatter, 89, and Platini, 68, were accused of financial crimes, including fraud and mismanagement, over a $2 million FIFA payment made in 2011.
Prosecutors argued that the funds unlawfully enriched Platini and harmed FIFA’s finances. However, on Tuesday, a panel of three Swiss judges ruled in favor of Blatter and Platini, upholding their 2022 acquittal.
Blatter showed signs of relief as the ruling was read. Seated in front of Platini, he remained deep in thought before shaking hands with his lawyer and sharing an emotional embrace with his daughter, Corinne.
“You saw my daughter in tears because she believed in her father, and I had faith in myself,” Blatter said. “Waiting for such a long time takes a toll, and my family has suffered.“
Platini, listening to the verdict through a translator, expressed his satisfaction. “This persecution by FIFA and certain Swiss federal prosecutors has now come to an end, completely finished. I’m very happy,” he said as he left the courtroom.
Swiss prosecutors had appealed the 2022 acquittal, seeking a 20-month suspended sentence for both men. The prosecution claimed the payment violated FIFA’s financial regulations and was not properly documented. However, Platini’s lawyer, Dominic Nellen, stated that his client had been fully cleared.
“Michel Platini deserves to be left in peace regarding criminal matters. After two acquittals, even the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland must recognize that these criminal proceedings have definitively concluded.“
Notwithstanding the court ruling, the Swiss attorney general’s office has not ruled out further legal action. In a statement, it said it “will determine the next steps.”
Like 👍, Comment, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
