Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been banned
for eight years from all football-related activity by
FIFA's ethics committee.
German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, the chairman
of FIFA's adjudicatory chamber, held disciplinary
hearings for the pair last week and announced the
sanctions on Monday morning.
A FIFA statement read: "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.
"The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily
related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 transferred
in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini. Mr
Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA,
authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no
legal basis in the written agreement signed
between both officials on 25 August 1999. 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 evidence available to the adjudicatory
chamber in the present case was not sufficient to
establish, to the extent required, that Mr Blatter
sought the execution or omission of an official act
from Mr Platini within the meaning of article 21
paragraph 1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE)
(Bribery and corruption). However, the conduct of
Mr Blatter towards Mr Platini without a legal basis
constituted a breach of article 20 paragraph 1 of
the FCE (Offering and accepting gifts and other
benefits). Furthermore, 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, thus violating article 19 paragraphs 1, 2
and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of interest).
"By failing to place FIFA's interests first and
abstain from doing anything which could be
contrary to FIFA's interests, Mr Blatter violated his
fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15 of
the FCE (Loyalty). 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,
hence violating article 13 of the FCE (General rules
of conduct).
"In consequence, Mr Blatter has been banned for
eight years from all football related activities and
fined CHF 50,000.
"The investigation into the case of Mr Blatter was
conducted by Mr Robert Torres, member of the
investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee.
The investigation resulted in a final report which
was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20
November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened
formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the
hearing of Mr Blatter took place in Zurich on 17
December 2015.
"The proceedings against Mr Platini primarily
related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 that he
received in February 2011 from FIFA.
The payment
to Mr Platini had no legal basis in the written
agreement signed between both officials on 25
August 1999. Mr Platini's assertion of an oral
agreement was determined as not convincing and
was rejected by the chamber.
"The evidence available to the adjudicatory
chamber in the present case was not sufficient to
establish, to the extent required, that Mr Platini
obtained the payment for the execution or omission
of an official act within the meaning of article 21
paragraph 1 of the FCE (Bribery and corruption).
Nevertheless, the conduct of Mr Platini without a
legal basis constituted a breach of article 20
paragraph 1 of the FCE (Offering and accepting
gifts and other benefits). Furthermore, Mr Platini
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 in violation of article 19
paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of
interest).
"By failing to place FIFA's interests first and
abstain from doing anything which could be
contrary to FIFA's interests, Mr Platini also violated
his fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15
of the FCE (Loyalty). In addition, Mr Platini failed to
act with complete credibility and integrity, showing
unawareness of the importance of his duties and
concomitant obligations and responsibilities. His
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 Vice-
President of FIFA and member of the FIFA
Executive Committee, hence violating article 13 of
the FCE (General rules of conduct).
"In consequence, Mr Platini has been banned for
eight years from all football related activities and
fined CHF 80,000.
"The investigation into the case of Mr Platini was
conducted by Ms Vanessa Allard, member of the
investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee.
The investigation resulted in a final report which
was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20
November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened
formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the
hearing took place in Zurich on 18 December 2015
in the presence of Mr Platini's lawyers."
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