FIFA charge Blatter and Platini
FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee has opened formal proceedings against Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini.
The pair have been suspended by world football’s governing body over an alleged “disloyal payment” from the FIFA President to Platini, head of UEFA.
“The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee chaired by Hans-Joachim Eckert has today opened formal adjudicatory proceedings against Joseph S. Blatter and Michel Platini based on the final reports submitted by the investigatory chamber,” a statement from FIFA announced.
“The adjudicatory chamber has studied the reports carefully and decided to institute formal proceedings against the two officials.
“For reasons linked to privacy rights and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the adjudicatory chamber will not publish details of the sanctions requested by the investigatory chamber in its final reports.
“The adjudicatory chamber intends to come to a decision in both cases during the month of December.”
Platini is a candidate to replace Blatter at the Presidential election on February 26, but had an appeal against his suspension rejected.
The Frenchman’s lawyer has accused FIFA of attempting to “disrupt and delay Michel Platini’s campaign”.
