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Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini have returned to court in Switzerland as they continue to fight allegations of fraud. The case revolves around a 2 million Swiss franc (£1.6 million) payment made to Platini in 2011, which was approved by Blatter.
Both men were acquitted in 2022 after a trial in which they argued that the payment was legitimate compensation for advisory work Platini had provided to FIFA years earlier. However, Swiss federal prosecutors have appealed that verdict, leading to a retrial that began on Monday in Muttenz, near Basel. The new proceedings are expected to conclude by Thursday, with a final verdict scheduled for 25 March.
Appearing in court, 88-year-old Blatter maintained his innocence, asserting, "When you talk about falsehoods, lies, and deception, that’s not me. That didn’t exist in my whole life." Meanwhile, Platini’s lawyer defended the earlier acquittal, stating that the payment had been lawful and properly accounted for.
Platini, a three-time Ballon d'Or winner and former president of UEFA, had a distinguished playing career, captaining France to victory at the 1984 European Championship. He later transitioned into football administration, working with FIFA and UEFA.
The case dates back to 2015 when Swiss prosecutors first accused Blatter and Platini of fraud, claiming they had misled FIFA about the payment. During the initial trial, Blatter testified that he had hired Platini as an advisor in 1998 but could not afford to pay his full salary at the time. Platini, in turn, testified that he trusted FIFA to pay him eventually, which led to the delayed payment nearly a decade later.
Despite their acquittal in 2022, the prosecution has pursued an appeal, arguing that the payment was not properly documented and constituted fraud. If found guilty, both men face potential suspended sentences of 20 months.
Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years before resigning amid corruption investigations in 2015, has described the case as a "witch hunt." Platini, now 69, has also denied any wrongdoing, stating that he was fully entitled to the compensation he received.
As the retrial unfolds, the football world watches closely, awaiting a verdict that could have lasting implications for both men's legacies.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA, Unsplash / Fauzan Saari
