Sepp Blatter says he leaves football

On Monday, Blatter’s reign ended ignominiously, as the Fifa ethics committee banned him for eight years from all football-related activity for allegedly signing a contract “unfavourable” to Fifa and making a “disloyal payment” to Uefa president Michel Platini in 2011.

Sepp Blatter’s legal team have confirmed he will appeal his eight-year ban from football handed out by the FIFA Ethics Committee.

The 36-year-old footballer won two Premier League titles and the League Cup with Chelsea, lifted the League Cup with Blackburn Rovers and helped Fulham reach the 2010 Europa League final. England’s Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said the bans marked “the end” for Blatter and Platini.

“It can analyse thousands of accounts very quickly and flag up any suspect transactions”, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the Blatter-Platini case.

“I’m sure they are on top of it and I’m sure they will get the sport back where we all want it to be”, he concluded.

In this edition of ATRadio, Around the Rings European editor Mark Bisson weighs in on the future for the embattled world football figures.

Platini backers in this Euro 2016 draw file picture at the Palais des Congres in Paris, December 12, 2015 (second from left) FFF president Noel Le Graet and Sports Minister Patrick Kanner, next to UEFA Euro 2016 president Jacques Lambert between them.

“Jerome Valcke unequivocally denies the fabricated and outrageous accusations” related to the ticket sales, Berke said when his client was first suspended. “We will pay you part of it later on”, Blatter said about the payment in 2011 that coincided with Platini’s decision not to challenge Blatter for president.

As an executive committee was concluding in September, prosecutors pounced on FIFA HQ and immediately questioned Blatter and Platini about the payment. It has been rigged to tarnish my name by bodies I know well and who for me are lacking in credibility and legitimacy. “But most of these people are now accused – not yet convicted, but accused – or in prison”. “These are confederation activities over which we have no control”.

“I regret I am a punching ball and for my organization I have served with my heart and conscience for 41 years”, Blatter said during his opening statement.

“I am not saying he is innocent but any African should not be happy at the developments because he has done so much for the continent”.