Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter Cleared of Corruption Charges
Former UEFA President Michel Platini and ex-FIFA President Sepp Blatter have been fully exonerated from corruption charges, bringing a long-standing legal case against them to a close.
The Swiss Attorney General's Office has confirmed that it will not contest a ruling from March that acquitted both individuals.
Earlier this year, an appeals court cleared Platini, 70, and Blatter, 89, of any wrongdoing related to a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (£1.6 million) made by Blatter to Platini in 2011. Both men have consistently denied any misconduct.
Dominic Nellen, Platini's lawyer, stated, "After two acquittals and the withdrawal of the Attorney General's office, these criminal proceedings have ultimately failed. Michel Platini has been acquitted with legal effect and fully rehabilitated under criminal law."
Nellen highlighted the significant personal and professional repercussions that the criminal proceedings had on Platini, noting that no incriminating evidence was ever presented. He mentioned that the proceedings hindered Platini's candidacy for FIFA president in 2016.
Both Blatter and Platini were initially acquitted of fraud charges in 2022, and the appeals court upheld this decision earlier this year, in a case that dates back to 2015.
Both men contended that the payment was for advisory work that Platini had performed for FIFA.
Nellen added, "Michel Platini is satisfied with the withdrawal of the appeal. He has always maintained that the payment was an overdue salary. This final acquittal validates his position. The Attorney General's Office has failed to present any incriminating evidence over the past decade. These proceedings were baseless and should never have been initiated."