Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter Proclaims Innocence as He Appears in Court for Fraud Case

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter maintained his innocence during a court appearance in Switzerland on Monday, alongside renowned French football legend Michel Platini, two and a half years after both were exonerated of fraud charges.

In 2022, Blatter and Platini were acquitted by a lower Swiss court after a seven-year investigation revolving around a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (approximately $2.22 million) made to Platini.

The Swiss federal prosecutor has contested this ruling, prompting a new hearing at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court located in Muttenz, near Basel.

The prosecutor has urged that the previous judgment be completely overturned.

Addressing the court, Blatter asserted his non-involvement in any fraudulent activities.

“When it comes to falsehoods, lies, and deception, that’s not who I am. Such things have never been part of my life,” he remarked.

“My family had principles – we only accept money we have rightfully earned,” he continued, adding, “I am innocent.”

The indictment in 2022 alleged that Blatter and Platini misled FIFA staff between 2010 and 2011 regarding a supposed obligation for the football governing body to issue a payment to Platini, who was serving as president of UEFA at the time.

“They falsely asserted that FIFA owed Platini the sum of 2 million Swiss francs for advisory services, perpetrating this deception through a series of untruthful claims made by both defendants,” the indictment stated.

This case derailed Platini’s aspirations of succeeding Blatter, who stepped down as FIFA president in 2015 amid a separate corruption scandal.

Both Blatter and Platini were handed suspensions from football in 2015 by FIFA for ethics violations, initially for eight years, though their bans were subsequently shortened.

In 2022, a judge found their account of a “gentlemen’s agreement” regarding the payment to be credible, expressing significant doubts over the prosecution’s assertion of fraud.

The Swiss federal prosecutor is pursuing a sentence of 20 months’ imprisonment, to be suspended for two years, for both Blatter and Platini, the former captain and manager of the French national team.

‘Witch Hunt’

Blatter, who presided over FIFA for 17 years until 2015, stated prior to the hearing that he believed he was the target of a witch hunt.

“I feel very optimistic,” the frail-looking 88-year-old told reporters outside the court before the proceedings commenced.

“Today is a bright day, and I approach this with positive energy.”

Platini, a three-time European Footballer of the Year, reportedly shares a confident outlook regarding his acquittal, as stated by his lawyer.

“The court’s initial ruling was correct in determining that the contested payment of 2 million francs was legitimate,” commented Platini’s lawyer Dominic Nellen.

A verdict is anticipated on March 25.