Platini and Blatter banned by FIFA ethics committee

Fifa’s ethics committee has banned both Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini for a period of eight years from ‘all football-related activity.’ 

The bans, which commence immediately, are in response to a payment made by Blatter to Platini in 2011. The amount was a reported two million swiss francs (£1.3m), and is also the subject of a criminal investigation by Swiss authorities. The pair both claimed innocence and stated that it was a payment in regard to services rendered over a decade previously.

Both Blatter and Platini had been serving 90 day bans and Hans-Joachim Eckert, Fifa’s adjudicatory chamber chairman, held disciplinary hearings for each of them last week.

Blatter attempted to convince the committee of his innocence whilst Platini refused to attend his meeting on Friday in protest.

In a press conference today, Blatter denied any wrongdoing and stated: “I am really sorry. I am sorry that I am still a punching ball. I am as president of Fifa this punching ball. And I am sorry for football. I am sorry to Fifa. I have served them for more than 40 years. I am sorry for 400-plus team members working in Fifa. I’m sorry.”

Both men have also been fined with Blatter set to pay £33,700 whilst Platini must pay £54,000.

It is expected that both will appeal their bans, with Blatter saying: “I will fight for me and I will fight for Fifa.”