Six years of investigation and two weeks in Switzerland on fraud charges, Michel Platini, and Sepp Blatter were found not guilty of the crime. The case that shattered the dreams of the Frenchman, who was tipped to be the next global football leader in 2015, ended with a verdict of no contest.
The two defendants listened in silence as the clerk read them the judgment that they had sought for many years. They were facing five years imprisonment, while the prosecution requested, in June, one year and eight month in prison with reprieve.
"A neutral court finally found that this case did not involve a crime. My client is now completely free and clear.
The ex-captain, Blues, celebrated in a brief press release that he had "won a match", while also referring to political and judicial manipulation to take him out of power. They can count on me. We will meet again.
Michel Platini suspects, in particular, a hidden role in Gianni Infantino's former right-handman at UEFA, elected in 2016 as the head of FIFA. Since 2020, a separate procedure has been initiated for three secret meetings with the ex-head of the Swiss prosecution. .
The ex-captain, Blues, celebrated in a brief press release that he had "won a match", while also referring to political and judicial manipulation to take him out of power. They can count on me. We will meet again.
Michel Platini suspects, in particular, a hidden role in Gianni Infantino's former right-handman at UEFA, elected in 2016 as the head of FIFA. Since 2020, a separate procedure has been initiated for three secret meetings with the ex-head of the Swiss prosecution. .
The 67-year old Frenchman and the Swiss 86-yearold appeared in the Bellinzona debates for not having succeeded in joining the component. They were accused of illegally obtaining, to FIFA's detriment, a payment worth 2 million Swiss Francs (1 8 million euro) "in favour of Michel Platini".
One point was agreed upon by defense and prosecution: Sepp Blatter received excellent advice from the Triple Ballon d'Or between 1998-2002, when he was the FIFA head. In 1999, the two men signed a contract agreeing to an annual remuneration in the amount of 300,000. Swiss francs. FIFA paid the entire amount.
In January 2011, however, the ex-midfielder - who was in the interim UEFA President (2007-2015), - "claimed a claim for 2 million Swiss francs", which was described by the "charge" as a "false invoice".
They insisted that the two men had agreed from the beginning to a salary of one million Swiss Francs per year. This was through an oral "gentlemen’s agreement" without witnesses and without FIFA allowing immediate payment to Michel Platini.
Sepp Blatter assured the Frenchman that the Frenchman was worth his million. Michel Platini, however, described a negotiation so informalized that he didn't specify the motto. "Me for Fun, I said" pesetas and rubles, rubles, marks. "Said the legend of Blues.
Thomas Hildbrand, the prosecutor, had highlighted the contradiction in the 1999 contract, the contrast between the usual practices of body and more generally the world of work. He also exhumed audit reports of FIFA.
The magistrate recalls that even if Platini had been paid one million Swiss Francs by Zurich in 1999, it would have "more than 21 millions francs" in cash, with reserves that had risen up to 327million in 2002.
The court found that fraud was not established with a likelihood bordering upon certainty. Therefore, the general principle of criminal legal that "the doubt must be in the favor of the accused" was applied.
In its pleading, the defense also highlighted that there was no clear motive for Sepp Blatter. This case didn't bring in any money.
Thomas Hildbrand recalled with care the support that Michel Platini and UEFA's executive committee gave to Blatter's reelection to a fourth term at May 2011.
The prosecutor acknowledged that the question of whether the payment was made in connection to the election should remain open in the absence evidence, but he left the shadow of corruption over the courtroom.
