They were among the most powerful men in world sports. Joseph Blatter, nicknamed Sepp, ran the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) for 17 years. Former famous footballer Michel Platini was the head of European football, which is run by UEFA.
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The scandal at FIFA, triggered by police raids linked to the arrest of the organization’s top officials on the eve of the 2015 congress in Zurich, eventually swept both of them away.
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Despite the aforementioned raid and also despite Platini’s harsh criticism, Blatter was then re-elected FIFA president. But the situation was unbearable under the pressure of sponsors, media and other entities. And Blatter soon resigned.
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During the investigation, documentation was discovered, according to which FIFA paid Platini 2 million Swiss francs (48 million crowns) in February 2011.
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Platini stated that this was a reward for his consulting services that he provided to Blatter. But the Frenchman was already his official adviser in the years 1999-2002. So 9 years before payment.
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Investigators and prosecutors did not believe this version. The payment was linked to the choice of Russia and Qatar as organizers of the 2018 World Cup, respectively. World Cup 2022. It took place in December 2010, roughly two months before Blatter sent Platini 2 million Swiss francs. And 9 years after Platini stopped providing him with consulting services.
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The process of selecting the host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups has been described as corrupt by American investigative bodies.
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The ethics commissions of FIFA, and therefore UEFA, banned Blatter and Platini from performing official or other work in football.
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Now their case has come to trial in Bellinzona, Switzerland. The trial took place from June 8 to 22, a number of witnesses were heard. And also the two main protagonists of the affair. They both testified that their actions were completely legal, including the mentioned payment.
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According to Blatter, during the era of providing his consulting services, Platini claimed a million Swiss francs a year.
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It is said that this was not within FIFA’s economic power at the time, so only the amount of 300,000 euros appeared in the contract. And regarding the repayment of the rest of the money, the two, according to their claims, made a gentleman’s agreement. Without writing a written document about it.
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Swiss law allows such a procedure. The public prosecutor nevertheless demanded a suspended sentence for both Blatter and Platini.
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However, it was not proven in court that Blatter and Platini’s version was false. And so both former top football officials were acquitted of charges of corruption and fraud.
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