Michel Platini appeals to CAS over 90-day ban

Platini lost his appeal to Fifa’s appeals committee this week against the ban that halts his candidacy for the Federation Internationale de Football Association election on February 26.

No written agreement exists, however, and Platini’s job ended in 2002 when he joined FIFA’s ethics committee.

“It’s probable that the CAS will reverse Fifa’s judgement”, he said.

Platini and Blatter are now expected to take their cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“Michel Platini has full confidence that the CAS will restore all his rights”, said a statement issued by his spokesman.

Blatter’s American lawyer, Richard Cullen, said in a statement: “President Blatter is committed to clearing his name and hopes this inexplicable delay is not an effort to deny him, during his elected term, a fair hearing before a neutral body”.

Blatter “looks forward to the opportunity to be heard, including through the presentation of evidence and argument of counsel, and thereby demonstrate he has engaged in no misconduct”, Cullen said.

At present, Uefa president will not be able to stand in the Federation Internationale de Football Association election. The bans might be extended for an additional 45 days by the ethics committee, which rejected an appeal submitted last month by Platini against the decision of banning him from practicing any soccer-related activity.

The committee opened its investigation after the payment became the subject of a criminal investigation by the Swiss Attorney General.

Both men launched an appeal but it was announced on Wednesday that it has been unsuccessful.

They are Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, former FIFA official Jerome Champagne of France, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino of Switzerland and South Africa businessman Tokyo Sexwale.

The committee has previously said it wants to conclude the case against Blatter and Platini by 5 January next year, when the 90-day ban expires. Whatever sanctions Eckert applies can also be appealed to CAS.

“However, for the sake of clarity, the procedure of the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee regarding the provisional measures is still ongoing, meaning that the adjudicatory chamber may still confirm, revoke or amend the provisional decision as stated in art. 84 par”.