In the trial of former FIFA President Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini, Platini’s lawyer is calling for the ex-UEFA boss to be acquitted.
Platini is not guilty of fraud or forgery, said attorney Dominic Nellen in his pleading before the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland. There is no motive for the alleged crime of fraud, but there is one for the present criminal case. Accordingly, the initial suspicion that triggered the procedure was constructed, the lawyer emphasized.
The defendants are accused of having deceived the World Football Association about an alleged outstanding claim by Platini. According to the indictment, Blatter is said to have unlawfully confirmed the payment of FIFA in the amount of two million francs (currently around 1.94 million euros) plus social security contributions to Platini.
Federal prosecutor calls for suspended sentence
Last Wednesday, the Swiss federal prosecutor’s office called for a suspended prison sentence of one year and eight months for Blatter (86) and Platini (66). Platini is also to reimburse the amount received and the social benefits paid on it, around 2.16 million euros. Both have to answer for allegations of fraud and other crimes, they reject all allegations. The verdict is expected on July 8th. Blatter also called for an acquittal.
According to his defense attorney, Platini “has always shown complete transparency and acted in good faith”. Platini waived compensation, although the damage caused to him was incalculably high. The only thing that matters to him is his acquittal. The secured assets of a good two million euros should be handed over to Platini.
Platini laments “plot”
According to Platini and his lawyer, the charges are a conspiracy designed to prevent him from becoming FIFA president and to clear the way for the current incumbent, Gianni Infantino. The payment from 2011 only became interesting again when the office of FIFA President was vacant in 2015.
It is striking that the proceedings were opened shortly after one of the unrecorded meetings in July 2015 between the federal prosecutor’s office and a confidant of Infantino – initially only against Blatter. Although Platini has not been charged for the time being, the federal prosecutor’s office has repeatedly mentioned his name, Nellen said. This created a new criminal procedural status of “publicly accused informant”.