Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Cleared Again in FIFA Financial Misconduct Trial
In a significant legal victory, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been acquitted for a second time regarding financial wrongdoing linked to FIFA, marking a decade-long legal struggle.
Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have once again emerged victorious in a court ruling, tallying a 2-0 score in their ongoing legal battles against Swiss federal prosecutors.
Once the most dominant figures in soccer, Blatter, who is now 89, and Platini, who served as UEFA president, were acquitted in a case related to allegations of fraud and mismanagement involving over $2 million of FIFA funds from 2011.
Court Reactions
Blatter showed minimal reaction during the verdict read by three judges acting as a federal criminal appeals court, only smiling after it concluded. He expressed relief, saying, “You have seen my daughter was coming with tears because she believed in (her) father and I believed in myself. To wait such a long time affects the person and my family was very much affected.”
Platini, who listened through a translator in French, insisted, “This persecution by FIFA and some Swiss federal prosecutors for 10 years is now finished, is now totally finished. So I’m very happy.”
Financial Outcome
The attorney general’s office in Switzerland challenged a previous acquittal and sought a sentence of 20 months for both men. The court, however, ruled that Platini is entitled to approximately 180,000 Swiss francs ($204,000) in compensation, while Blatter is owed around 110,000 Swiss francs ($125,000).
Legal Context
This trial marks a pivotal moment in a case that has spanned a decade, stemming from a payment Blatter authorized in 2011 to Platini for past advisory work. The latest ruling comes nearly a decade after a federal investigation into FIFA was launched, leading to various repercussions for both individuals involved.
The fallout from these events has irrevocably altered the landscape of FIFA, with various officials implicated in overlapping corruption scandals.
Moving Forward
Despite the legal victories, neither Blatter nor Platini has participated in soccer governance since their suspensions by FIFA’s ethics committee. Blatter’s future in soccer remains in limbo until late 2028, owing to another ethics prosecution.
