Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Return to Court in Swiss Fraud Case

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are under investigation once again as a Swiss court revisits fraud allegations related to a controversial payment made years earlier.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French football icon Michel Platini re-entered a Swiss courtroom this week, facing counterparts under accusations of fraud related to a payment that first drew scrutiny in 2015. After being acquitted in 2022 over a contentious transfer of 2 million Swiss francs (approximately £1.6 million), the federal prosecutor’s office appealed, triggering this new trial expected to last until Thursday, with a verdict anticipated on March 25.

On Monday, during proceedings at an appeals court in Muttenz, close to Basel, an assertive Blatter, at 88 years old, reiterated his complete innocence, stating, “When you talk about falsehoods, lies and deception, that’s not me.” Meanwhile, Platini's legal defense asserted that the lower court's previous ruling affirming the lawful nature of the disputed payment was justified.

Platini, a celebrated football player with three Ballon d'Or titles to his name, captained France to victory in the 1984 European Championship and was instrumental in Juventus's success during the 1985 European Cup. His career transitioned into coaching and then into pivotal leadership roles, including his election as UEFA president in 2007.

The troubling saga unfolds from a 2015 investigation which accused the duo of misleading FIFA regarding payments made to Platini. During the initial trial, Blatter maintained that he had enlisted Platini as an advisor back in 1998, but the organization was financially strained at the time. They agreed on a reduced fee with the prospect of settling the remaining balance later on. Platini testified that he had faith in Blatter's promise to compensate him once FIFA's financial situation improved. After ending his advisory role in 2002, Platini only pursued payment in 2011 when he deemed it feasible to send an invoice.

Despite their earlier acquittal, retrials like this reflect the ongoing turbulence in the world of football governance. In 2015, both men faced suspensions from football activities, initially set for eight years due to violations of ethical standards, although these penalties were subsequently reduced. As the latest court case unfolds, the legacy of both Blatter’s extensive tenure with FIFA, starting back in 1975, and Platini's significant contributions to European football continues to hang in the balance.