FIFA Bans Blatter, Platini From Soccer For 8 Years

The pair had been suspended in October while an investigation was carried out into a 2 million Swiss franc (S$2.8 million) payment that Federation Internationale de Football Association made to Mr Platini in 2011, with Mr Blatter’s approval.

Both had earlier denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the payment had been legitimate following an oral contract.

The three time European Footballer of the Year and former captain of France’s career in the administrative section of football has been effectively derailed by this ban.

“I will fight for me and for FIFA”, Blatter said in a news conference before the ban was handed out, adding that he believed the Ethics Committee had been convinced his payment to Platini was valid.

“I am really sorry”.

I am sorry for how I am treated in this world of humanitarian qualities.

“He’s a fine man of football, he was in a very strong position until recently, UEFA are a very clean organisation as far as I know, so he’s got caught out”.

The judges also said that Platini “failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities”. “Suspended eight years for what?”

“I presume that he will now to go appeal as well, but I would think is the end for both him and Blatter”.

The news ends Blatter’s 17-year reign at the top of football, with the Swiss official having already been suspended by FIFA.

Blatter says he does not accept his ban because a payment he made to Platini was legal.

Michel Platini, president of UEFA, also got an eight-year ban. Platini said he will appeal his ban.

Platini has not commented on a possible appeal.

“It is very hard for me to estimate this decision”.

Platini has also vowed to go to court to fight the decision made by the independent ethics committee. “Once again, UEFA supports Michel Platini’s right to a due process and the opportunity to clear his name”.

“If we had awarded the World Cup in 2022 the USA, we would not be here”, he said, according to USA TODAY Sports.

Voting will take place by secret ballot, with all FIFA’s 209 member states having a vote each.