Former football officials Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini have been acquitted by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court in the trial over a questionable payment of millions.
The court announced this judgment in the proceedings against the former presidents of FIFA and UEFA on Friday (July 8th, 2022) in Bellinzona.
Both had been accused of fraud and forgery by the Swiss Attorney General (OAG). The Swiss Blatter was also accused of embezzlement and unfaithful business management, the French Platini for aiding and abetting.
Prosecutors demanded suspended sentences
The public prosecutor’s office had called for a suspended sentence of one year and eight months in each case. In addition, Platini should reimburse the amount received and the social benefits paid on it. The lawyers for Blatter and Platini each argued for an acquittal, the ex-officials protested their innocence in court.
Specifically, it was about two million Swiss francs (1.92 million euros) plus 229,126 francs (220,000 euros) in social security contributions. These sums flowed from FIFA to the then UEFA boss Platini in 2011, Blatter spoke of one “Gentlemen’s Agreement” for Platini’s consulting work. The world association appeared in the proceedings as a joint plaintiff. The investigation into the case led to Blatter, like Platini, being banned for eight years each by the FIFA Ethics Committee in 2015. Although the bans were later reduced, Platini’s attempt to become Blatter’s successor at the top of FIFA failed.
Platini: “We will meet again”
After his acquittal, the Platini wants to strike back. “In this terrible case there are culprits who have not appeared in this process. I guarantee them: we will meet again”, said the former European Football Union boss in a statement released by his lawyer. He “will not give up and will go to the end in search of the truth”the 67-year-old was quoted as saying.