Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA president Michel Platini appeared in a Swiss court on Monday for a fresh fraud trial. The two face charges of fraud, forgery, and misappropriation of funds.
This trial comes nearly a decade after Swiss authorities first opened the case. It follows their acquittal in 2022 over a controversial FIFA payment of 2 million Swiss francs (€2.12 million) made to Platini in 2011 with Blatter’s approval.
Key Details of the Trial
Blatter and Platini insist they did nothing wrong. They claim they had a verbal agreement for Platini to be paid for his advisory work for FIFA between 1998 and 2002. However, prosecutors argue the payment was improper and damaged FIFA’s finances while unlawfully benefiting Platini.
The case is being heard in German by three judges from different Swiss regions at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court. The hearings are expected to conclude by Thursday, with a verdict due on March 25.
Background and FIFA’s Role
Both Blatter and Platini stepped down from their positions in 2015 after the payment became public during a wider corruption scandal in FIFA. The controversy also ended Platini’s hopes of succeeding Blatter as FIFA president.
Swiss prosecutors initially indicted the pair in 2021. Although they were cleared in 2022, prosecutors later appealed, leading to this new trial. Platini delayed the proceedings after successfully challenging the involvement of certain judges last year.
Prosecutors are seeking 20-month suspended prison sentences for both men. FIFA, which has been trying to recover the money along with €243,000 in additional charges and interest, was not present in court on Monday. Platini’s lawyer has requested the dismissal of FIFA’s appeal and civil claim.
Platini maintains that he reported the income and paid taxes on it.
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