Blatter, Platini cleared again in corruption case

Muttenz

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini have once again been cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court in Muttenz, near Basel, upholds their 2022 acquittal.

Blatter, once the most powerful figure in world football, and Platini, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner and former UEFA President, had been accused of fraud and financial mismanagement. The case revolved around a controversial payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.26 million) made to Platini in 2011, which prosecutors alleged was illicit. Both men had consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming the payment was for legitimate consultancy work carried out by Platini for FIFA.

Swiss federal prosecutors had appealed the initial verdict from 2022, seeking to overturn the acquittal. However, the appeals court found no evidence of fraud or mismanagement, reaffirming the earlier decision in favor of Blatter and Platini.

Following the ruling, Platini expressed relief, stating, Justice has been served once again. I have always maintained my innocence, and today’s verdict reaffirms the truth. Blatter, now 89, echoed similar sentiments, calling the case an unnecessary battle that had tarnished his legacy.

With this verdict, both men are now legally cleared of all corruption charges, though the scandal had already ended their careers in football administration.