FIFA bans Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini for 8 years after ethics inquiry
On Monday, a FIFA ethics committee in Switzerland banned the outgoing president of the world soccer governing body, Sepp Blatter, plus his presumptive heir, Michel Platini, for eight years after finding them guilty of ethics violations. The ban, which prohibits two of the most powerful men in soccer from engaging in any soccer-related activities, probably ends Platini's bid to replace Blatter when FIFA holds a special vote on his replacement in February and derails Blatter's plans to helm that FIFA congress. Both men are expected to appeal the ban to a FIFA appellate committee and the Court of Arbitration of Sport.
Blatter and Platini were judged guilty of violating FIFA rules on conflicts of interest, bribery, and breach of loyalty, particularly regarding a $2 million payment Blatter had authorized for Platini in 2011. Blatter, 79, was first elected FIFA president in 1998, and he hired Platini, 60, as a special adviser from 1999 to 2002. The men say the 2011 payment was back pay for that earlier arrangement, as specified in an unwritten "gentleman's agreement," but the 2011 transaction caught investigators' attention because it came a few weeks before Blatter began his bid for re-election to a fourth term as FIFA president. UEFA, the European soccer governing body, led by Platini, supported Blatter's re-election, and Blatter won after his only challenger withdrew.
"Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr. Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment," the FIFA judges ruled. "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." Blatter was also ordered to pay a $50,250 fine while Platini was fined $80,400. Both men are also under investigation by Swiss prosecutors.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Melting polar ice is messing with global timekeeping
Speed Read Ice loss caused by climate change is slowing the Earth's rotation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Stick guitar
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'Sports executives ushered a fox into the henhouse'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
South Korea passes law banning sale and production of dog meat
Speed Read Rare bipartisan support 'highlights changing attitudes' as young people shun centuries-old tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Out of touch: Daryl Hall obtains restraining order against bandmate John Oates
Speed Read Lawsuit reveals unharmonious relationship between most commercially successful duo in pop history
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published