FIFA Bans Blatter and Platini from Football Activities for Eight Years

On Monday, December 30, the Ethics Committee of FIFA banned Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini from all football-related activities for eight years. Platini, who was a hopeful candidate for the FIFA presidency in the elections on February 26, has effectively been sidelined from this competition by the committee's ruling. According to the Associated Press, the judges stated that Blatter violated FIFA's rules regarding personal interests, adherence to principles, and the offering of gifts. Platini was also found to have breached rules concerning personal interests and adherence to principles. He is accused of receiving $2 million in off-the-books salary for his role as an advisor to the FIFA president from 1999 to 2002, a payment confirmed by Blatter. Both defendants have denied the allegations. Based on the ruling of FIFA's Ethics Committee, Blatter has also been fined $50,250, while Platini has been fined $80,400. The judges noted, 'Mr. Blatter did not provide any legal basis for this payment in his written defense or during the question-and-answer session.' The former FIFA president is accused of primarily failing to protect the interests of the organization and secondly, not preventing actions that were contrary to FIFA's interests. Michel Platini is also accused of being unaware of his duties, commitments, obligations, and responsibilities. Both defendants previously stated that they would contest any penalties imposed against them, initially appealing to the appeals committee and then to the Supreme Court. Blatter, 79, stated shortly after the announcement of the ruling that he would appeal the decision in the appeals and supreme courts. For Blatter, this ruling signifies the end of his era in football. Platini, 60, will also lose all hopes of succeeding Blatter as FIFA president. FIFA's disciplinary committee had suspended Blatter and Platini from all football activities for 90 days in mid-October of this year. U.S. prosecutors have charged 27 current or former FIFA officials, including eight former members of its executive committee, with receiving bribes related to television broadcasting rights for football matches. In this context, 12 individuals and two sports companies have been convicted.