Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been cleared of corruption charges for a second time. The Swiss federal criminal appeals court accepted their explanation that a payment made from Fifa to Platini in 2011 was for legitimate consultancy work, not fraud or mismanagement.
The case centered around a payment made to Platini with Blatter’s approval for work as a presidential adviser from 1998-2002. Swiss prosecutors argued that the payment was unlawful, but both men maintained they had a verbal agreement for backdated salary.
After the verdict, Blatter expressed relief and spoke of the personal toll the case had taken on him and his family. Platini’s lawyer called for an end to the criminal proceedings against his client, noting the lack of incriminating evidence presented.
The acquittal comes nine-and-a-half years after a Swiss federal investigation in 2015 led to the downfall of Blatter and Platini’s careers in football. Both men were banned from the sport by Fifa’s ethics committee.
While the latest ruling clears their names, the possibility of further legal action remains as prosecutors can appeal to the Swiss supreme court.
