Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Face New Fraud Trial in Switzerland

Blatter and Platini's latest trial follows an earlier acquittal, with both men asserting that the conducted payment was legitimate compensation for advisory work.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, alongside French football great Michel Platini, is facing renewed allegations of fraud as they appear in a Swiss court for the second time in under three years. The hearing, which commenced on Monday at an appeals court in Muttenz near Basel, centers around a contentious payment of 2 million Swiss francs (approximately £1.6 million) that was made to Platini and authorized by Blatter in 2011.

In their 2022 trial, both Blatter and Platini were acquitted of wrongdoing regarding this payment, which was claims to be a delayed fee for Platini's advisory work for FIFA. However, following the acquittal, the Swiss federal prosecutor decided to appeal, leading to the current retrial which is expected to conclude with a verdict on March 25.

During the proceedings, 88-year-old Blatter reiterated his innocence, emphasizing that he has never engaged in deception. He stated, "When you talk about falsehoods, lies, and deception, that's not me. That didn't exist in my whole life." Platini's attorney defended the previous ruling, asserting that the trial court was correct in deeming the payment lawful.

Platini, aged 69, boasts a decorated football career, having won the prestigious Ballon d'Or three times, leading France to victory in the 1984 European Championship, and clinching the 1985 European Cup with Juventus. After retiring from play, Platini coached the French national team before taking the helm as UEFA president in 2007.

The allegations against Blatter and Platini initially surfaced in 2015 when prosecutors accused them of misleading FIFA regarding the payments. Blatter testified earlier that he recruited Platini as an advisor to FIFA back in 1998, but at that time, FIFA's financial situation was dire, and they could only agree on a partial payment plan for Platini's services.

Platini, who ceased his FIFA advisory work in 2002, initially opted against pursuing the outstanding payment, reasoning that he did not require the money and was aware that FIFA was struggling financially. However, in January 2011, he decided it was time to invoice for the outstanding amount, which was subsequently approved and paid out.

The investigation progressed to accusations of forgery and fraud against both men, resulting in FIFA suspensions due to ethical breaches in 2015. Both initially faced an eight-year ban from football, but their exclusions were later reduced. The 2022 verdict from Switzerland's federal criminal court in Bellinzona cleared Blatter and Platini, acknowledging their claims of a "gentlemen's agreement" regarding the payment.

Sepp Blatter's long tenure with FIFA began in 1975, culminating in his presidency from 1998 to 2015, which was marred by corruption investigations. Platini, who had his own ambitions for FIFA's presidency, ultimately withdrew his candidacy amid the fallout from these controversies.