Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA president Michel Platini have both been found not guilty of fraud inthe Swiss federal criminal court.
The pair, oncetwo of the most powerful men in world football,werecharged by prosecutors last November following a six-year investigation into a £1.6m payment made by Mr Blatter to Mr Platini in 2011.
Prosecutorsargued the payment from FIFA,andauthorised bythen PresidentBlatter, had been “made without legal basis”.
However, both men have been acquitted.
Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini
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In a statement, Mr Platini’slawyer Dominic Nellen praised the court for its decision.
“My client’s full acquittal is the only correct outcome of these criminal proceedings, the court has properly assessed the evidence and finally put an end to this unspeakable criminal proceeding.” Nellen said.
“A neutral court has finally found that no wrongdoing was committed in this case. My client is completely cleared and relieved accordingly.”
Thecase brought Mr Blatter’s reign as FIFA president to a disgraceful end, meanwhile Mr Platini’s hopes to succeed Blatter as a protege was halted ashe was banned from football.
Mr Blatter had said the payment followed a "gentlemen's agreement" between the pair when he asked Mr Platini to be his technical advisor in 1998.
Swiss federal criminal court
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Both men deniedany foul play and said the transfer wasmade following a"gentleman's agreement" for Mr Platini's advisory work forFIFA between 1998 and 2002.
“The truth has come to light during thistrial, and I deeply thank the judges of the tribunal for the independence of their decision.” Mr Platini said.
“I kept saying it – my fight is a fight against injustice. I won a first game. In this case, there are culprits who did not appear during this trial. Let them count on me, we will meet again. Because I will not give up and I will go all the way in my quest for truth.
Mr Platini added:“Believe me, going from being a legend of world soccer to a devil is very difficult, especially when it comes to you in a totally unfair way.”
