Published on March 4, 2025 by Jadema Madonye
Last Updated on 1 year by Jadema Madonye
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini are back in court facing accusations of fraud.
Born in June 1955, Platini is a former French international won the Balloon d’OR three times in a row from 1983 to 1985. Known for his prolific goal-scoring ability, he made history in 2007 by becoming the first former player elected as the president of the union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
On the hand, Sepp Blatter, a Swiss businessman and sports administrator, began his career with FIFA in 1975. He became the organization’s general secretary in 1981 and rose to the presidency in 1988. However, in 2015, both men were suspended from football activities for ethics violations.
In 2022, Blatter and Platini were acquitted in atrial regarding a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (approximately $16 million) that was made to Platini and authorized by Blatter in 2011. Recently, they appeared before an appellate court in Muttenz, near Basel, to contest the accusations. Both men denied any wrongdoing, stating that transfer was belated payment for advisory work Platini had done for FIFA.
During his testimony, Blatter explained that he asked Platini to work as his advisor in 1988. He noted that at the time, FiFA could not afford the 1 million Swiss francs annual fee Platini requested. Instead, they agreed on a partial payment with the understanding that the outstanding balance would be settled later.
“I trusted the president and knew he would pay me one day,” Platini stated.
The Swiss federal prosecutor is seeking a suspended sentence of 20 months for both Blatter and Platini, with a verdict expected on March 25.
