Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini bans reduced to six years on appeal

The FIFA appeals committee has announced that outgoing president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini have had their eight-year bans reduced to six.

Both officials appealed to have their suspensions rescinded, but those requests have been rejected by the committee.

The duo were banned by football’s world governing body over allegations that Platini received a “disloyal” £1.3m payment from Blatter in 2011.

“Joseph S. Blatter is banned from taking part in any football-related activity (administrative, sports or other) at national and international level for a period of six (6) years as from October 8, 2015, in accordance with art. 6 par. 1h) of the FIFA Code of Ethics in conjunction with art. 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Mr Blatter shall pay a fine in the amount of CHF 50,000 within 30 days of notification of the present decision.”

Blatter’s 18-year reign as FIFA president will come to an end on Friday when a new leader is elected.