Former FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter approached the trial against him and former UEFA boss Michel Platini with demonstrative composure.
“I’m in a good mood. It’s a sunny day in Ticino today,” said the 86-year-old Blatter upon his arrival at the courthouse in Bellinzona.
Platini (66) was also happy about “the nice day” at the start of the negotiations in Switzerland.
The once most powerful men in world football must answer before the Swiss Federal Criminal Court. Blatter and Platini are accused of fraud and forgery by the Swiss Attorney General (OAG).
The Swiss Blatter is also accused of embezzlement and unfaithful business management, the French Platini for aiding and abetting.
Eleven days of negotiations scheduled
The Swiss Attorney General (BA) has been investigating the case since 2015, and the lawsuit was filed in November last year.
The trial is scheduled to last until June 22, with eleven days of negotiations. The verdict is expected on July 8th. The possible penalties for the accused range from a fine to five years in prison.
Specifically, it is about two million Swiss francs (1.92 million euros) plus 229,126 francs (220,000 euros) in social security contributions. These sums went in 2011 from the world governing body FIFA to Platini, the then President of the European Football Union (UEFA).
“Fictitious invoice” submitted to FIFA?
According to the OAG, Platini submitted a “fictitious bill” to FIFA for consulting work in 1998-2002 prior to the cash flow. This happened with Blatter’s “involvement” “without any legal basis”: “This payment damaged FIFA’s assets and unlawfully enriched Platini.”
Both accused deny the allegations and refer to an oral agreement that they had concluded with each other. Platini stated that it was “an outstanding salary”.
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 plans were thwarted.
The former world-class player was regarded as Blatter’s designated successor and wanted to become FIFA boss. His ban meant that then-fringe figure Gianni Infantino was quickly promoted from UEFA General Secretary to FIFA President. The Platini camp therefore suspects a conspiracy against the former playmaker of the Equipe Tricolore.