Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA President Michel Platini have returned to a Swiss courtroom for a retrial on charges of fraud, forgery, and misappropriation of FIFA funds.
This follows their acquittal in July 2022, which was appealed by Swiss prosecutors and FIFA. The case centers on a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (approximately $2.21 million) made to Platini in 2011, which Blatter authorized.
Both men have consistently maintained that this payment was for advisory work conducted by Platini during Blatter’s early presidential term from 1998 to 2002, based on a verbal agreement.
Denials of Wrongdoing
After the first day of their retrial, both Blatter and Platini reiterated their innocence.
Blatter emphasized, “I’m only defending my case, and naturally Michel’s as well. We did nothing wrong. Nothing. Nothing. It will be difficult to prove that we did anything wrong.”
Platini described the proceedings as complex but reaffirmed his innocence, stating,
“It’s complicated—I don’t understand anything. Fortunately, there was an interpreter who translated everything for me. I didn’t completely follow everything; it’s difficult. Now the appeal raises the same questions as in the first instance, where we were completely cleared. So, there you have it! We’re just repeating things. It’s a salary arrears issue, nothing more. There’s no corruption, no scheming, nothing at all. Some people think otherwise and are trying to prove it. And we are trying to prove the opposite,”.
Legal Proceedings and Implications
The retrial is expected to conclude by Thursday, with a verdict anticipated on March 25.
The case has significant implications, as it not only affects the reputations of Blatter and Platini but also reflects on the broader governance of football.
The payment in question was made during a period of heightened scrutiny over FIFA’s financial dealings, following a major corruption scandal in 2015 that led to both men’s removal from their positions.
Historical Context
The investigation into this payment began nearly a decade ago, in 2015, when Platini was hoping to succeed Blatter as FIFA president.
The revelation of the payment effectively ended Platini’s bid for the top FIFA post and marked a turning point in both men’s careers in football administration.
Despite their acquittal in 2022, the appeal by Swiss prosecutors has brought the case back into the spotlight, ensuring that the saga continues to unfold.
