₦airaland Forum

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been banned for eight years from all football-related activity by FIFA's ethics committee.


German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, the chairman of FIFA's adjudicatory chamber, held disciplinary hearings for the pair last week and announced the sanctions on Monday morning.

A FIFA statement read: "The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans Joachim Eckert has banned Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, for eight years and Mr Michel Platini, Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of FIFA and President of UEFA, for eight years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately.

"The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini. Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.

"The evidence available to the adjudicatory chamber in the present case was not sufficient to establish, to the extent required, that Mr Blatter sought the execution or omission of an official act from Mr Platini within the meaning of article 21 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE) (Bribery and corruption). However, the conduct of Mr Blatter towards Mr Platini without a legal basis constituted a breach of article 20 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits). Furthermore, Mr Blatter found himself in a situation of conflict of interest, despite which he continued to perform his related duties, failing to disclose said situation and the existence of personal interests linked to his prospective activities, thus violating article 19 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of interest).

"By failing to place FIFA's interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA's interests, Mr Blatter violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15 of the FCE (Loyalty). Mr Blatter's actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, failing to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA's regulatory framework to the extent applicable to him and demonstrating an abusive execution of his position as President of FIFA, hence violating article 13 of the FCE (General rules of conduct).

"In consequence, Mr Blatter has been banned for eight years from all football related activities and fined CHF 50,000.

"The investigation into the case of Mr Blatter was conducted by Mr Robert Torres, member of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee. The investigation resulted in a final report which was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20 November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the hearing of Mr Blatter took place in Zurich on 17 December 2015.

"The proceedings against Mr Platini primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 that he received in February 2011 from FIFA. The payment to Mr Platini had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. Mr Platini's assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.
FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino has identified his three-point plan should he take over from Sepp Blatter in February's election.

"The evidence available to the adjudicatory chamber in the present case was not sufficient to establish, to the extent required, that Mr Platini obtained the payment for the execution or omission of an official act within the meaning of article 21 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Bribery and corruption). Nevertheless, the conduct of Mr Platini without a legal basis constituted a breach of article 20 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits). Furthermore, Mr Platini found himself in a situation of conflict of interest, despite which he continued to perform his related duties, failing to disclose said situation and the existence of personal interests linked to his prospective activities in violation of article 19 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of interest).

"By failing to place FIFA's interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA's interests, Mr Platini also violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15 of the FCE (Loyalty). In addition, Mr Platini failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities. His actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, failing to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA's regulatory framework to the extent applicable to him and demonstrating an abusive execution of his position as Vice-President of FIFA and member of the FIFA Executive Committee, hence violating article 13 of the FCE (General rules of conduct).
Riyad Mahrez.

"In consequence, Mr Platini has been banned for eight years from all football related activities and fined CHF 80,000.

"The investigation into the case of Mr Platini was conducted by Ms Vanessa Allard, member of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee. The investigation resulted in a final report which was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20 November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the hearing took place in Zurich on 18 December 2015 in the presence of Mr Platini's lawyers."


http://www.espnfc.com/blog-fifa/story/2765839/sepp-blatter-and-michel-platini-get-eight-year-fifa-bans

Blatter has had enough, if you ask me.

Must he die at the helm


Power-drunk monster like our politicians.

ok

that's bound to happen, when you refuse to acknowledge the fact that, it's time to go......

End of the road for Blatter dynasty!

So the new FIFA president would crown Messi the world best while Neymar as second placed would be happy and smiling and taking selfie with Numero uno and the third guy will be all frowned up.

decatalyst:
Blatter has had enough, if you ask me.

Must he die at the helm


Power-drunk monster like our politicians.

lol, though he had already said he will step down, its platini that this ban will hit the most, cos he had aspirations to be FIFA president, now he's doomed, and he will also lose his seat as UEFA president, shattered career... Blatter was already at the top. But good though, cos ever since i was born, i have only know blatter as FIFA president, that man is just power drunk, thank God his time is over

zinachidi:
lol, though he had already said he will step down, its platini that this ban will hit the most, cos he had aspirations to be FIFA president, now he's doomed, and he will also lose his seat as UEFA president, shattered career... Blatter was already at the top. But good though, cos ever since i was born, i have only know blatter as FIFA president, that man is just power drunk, thank God his time is over

He has ate enough!