Bellinzona (AP) – The trial of former FIFA President Joseph Blatter and former UEFA boss Michel Platini in Bellinzona, Switzerland, has begun.
The two ex-football top officials appeared before the Federal Criminal Court on Wednesday morning, they have to answer for allegations of fraud and other crimes.
They are accused of having deceived the world association about an alleged outstanding claim by Platini. According to the indictment, Blatter is said to have unlawfully confirmed FIFA’s payment of two million francs (currently around 1.92 million euros) plus social security contributions to Platini.
Blatter (86) sat in the first row next to his lawyer Lorenz Erni and appeared in court with his daughter Corinne. “With the beautiful sun that’s there, I’m in a good mood. I’m confident because I have nothing to blame myself for,” said Blatter when he arrived before the trial began. “It takes two weeks, so I have to be in a good mood on the first day.”
Platini took a seat behind Blatter between his three representatives around lawyer Dominic Nellen. Blatter and Platini have always denied the allegations. The procedure will take place in German and will be translated into French for Platini. FIFA is acting as a private prosecutor.
A total of eleven days of negotiations are scheduled until June 22nd. A verdict is expected to be announced on July 8. Blatter’s questioning was scheduled for Wednesday, followed a day later by Platini and the testimonies begin.