Sepp Blatter (left) gives a business card to South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) president Juan Angel Napout on May 29, 2015 in Zurich. PHOTO/AFP
ZURICH, December 21- FIFA court banned Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini — once the most powerful men in football — for eight years over ethics violations.
Here are the key quotes from the verdict issued by the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s ethics committee in the case that focused primarily on a two million Swiss francs ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) payment Blatter authorised to Platini in 2011, reportedly for consulting work done a decade earlier:
“The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans‑Joachim Eckert has banned Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, for eight years and Mr Michel Platini, Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of FIFA and President of UEFA, for eight years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately.”
– On claims that the two million Swiss francs payment was legitimate following an oral contract
“Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr. Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.”
The same finding was made with respect to Platini.
– On Blatter’s conflict of interest, a possible reference to the fact that the FIFA leader authorised the Platini payment as he was campaigning for a new term, a campaign in which he needed Platini’s support
“Mr Blatter found himself in a situation of conflict of interest, despite which he continued to perform his related duties, failing to disclose said situation and the existence of personal interests linked to his prospective activities.”
The same finding was made in Platini’s case.
– On Blatter’s abuse of office
“Mr. Blatter’s actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, failing to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA’s regulatory framework to the extent applicable to him and demonstrating an abusive execution of his position as President of FIFA.”
– On Platini’s abuse of office
“Mr. Platini failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities…
Platini’s actions also demonstrated “an abusive execution of his position as Vice-President of FIFA and member of the FIFA Executive Committee”.
