What received two million Swiss francs from FIFA in 2011? Did he and the then FIFA President Sepp Blatter be cheated? The Court of Appeals now released the two again.
“I feel good,” said ex-FIFA boss Blatter on the way to the court in Muttenz near Basel. And even if he did not show any reaction in the courtroom – the 89 -year -old should also feel good even after the verdict. Because the appeal of the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office and FIFA also failed. Former FIFA President and Michel Platini, President of the UEFA from 2007-2016, have been acquitted again in the process of possible fraud.
What happened?
On February 1, 2011, in the election year of the FIFA President, two million Swiss francs were received by the then UEFA President Michael Platini. Platini had made an invoice shortly before, FIFA boss Sepp Blatter approved the payment. The two speak of outstanding consultant fees Platios from 1998 to 2002, which were recorded in an oral agreement between the two football officials. This so -called “Gentlemens Agreement” was agreed without witnesses. The FIFA initially lacked the money to pay Platini according to agreement. When the finances of the World Football Association looked better again, he asserted his claims. Sepp Blatter also confirmed this course.
Fraud and corruption?
In 2015 the accusation was made that this payment was illegal. The public prosecutor doubted the representation of Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini and accused the accused. The indictment speaks of a deal with which Blatter, Platini, was a challenger for a new term as head of FIFA. Because, unlike an appointment, he wanted to remain FIFA boss. Platini was also interested in the job. In the room it stood that Blatter wanted to “buy” the support of the then UEFA president with the money in order to make him his successor at the end of his term.
First acquittal as early as 2022
In the first instance, Blatter and Platini in 2022 were acquitted by the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona due to the lack of evidence – “in Dubio Pro Reo”, in case of doubt for the accused. It could not be proven that the payment of FIFA to Platini would have been illegal. However, both the Swiss Federal Prosecutor and the FIFA appealed, which led to the current procedure, which was moved to Muttenz due to bias the appellate court of the criminal court. However, FIFA had surprisingly withdrawn from the process and was ultimately no longer a co -plaintiff. For Blatter and Platini, the public prosecutor demanded prison sentences of one year and eight months of probation, the two former officials repeatedly emphasized that they were innocent and their defense called for a new acquittal that they have now received.
Platinis ambitions destroyed by investigations
So although there are no legal consequences now – the investigation around 10 years ago had a major impact. After the advertisement, Blatter and Platini were blocked by a FIFA ethics committee for several years. So Plati’s dream burst to succeed Blatter as a FIFA president. Instead, his rival Gianni Infantino came into play, became the head of FIFA and he is still. So the case completely changed the top of world football.
Broadcast on Tue., 25.3.2025 12:00 p.m., SWR currently on noon, SWR current
