The former presidents of FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations were acquitted of defrauding FIFA by a Swiss criminal court on Friday.
The case centered on a $2 million payment in 2011 from FIFA to then-UEFA President Michel Platini with approval from former FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Platini and Blatter have both denied wrongdoing in the case and claim they made a verbal deal in 1998 for Platini to get an extra salary, one that FIFA could not pay at the time. Platini signed a contract in August 1999 to be paid 300,000 Swiss francs, or $300,000, every year, according to the Associated Press.
Prosecutors couldn't bring enough evidence against the pair to convict them, the three-judge court said. Because there was still some doubt about their guilt, the court was forced to apply the"in dubio pro reo" principle, which stipulates a court cannot convict a defendant if doubt about their guilt remains.
FIFA has 10 days to appeal the decision, though it is unclear whether it will try to continue the legal battle.In addition to being acquitted, both Blatter and Platini were also awarded for costs acquired during the trial, and Blatter received 20,000 Swiss francs, or $20,500, in compensation for being morally wronged, the court said.Swiss prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand had requested a 20-month suspended jail sentence for both defendants in the case.
Platini, 67, is unsure about returning to soccer now that he has been acquitted, and he laughed loudly when asked if he would run for the FIFA presidency. However, he claimed that he is"so young" and has"time in front of me."
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Ex-Soccer Bosses Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini Acquitted In FIFA Corruption TrialI am a senior reporter for the Forbes breaking news team, covering health and science from the London office. Previously I worked as a reporter for a trade publication covering big data and law and as a freelance journalist and policy analyst covering science, tech and health. I have master’s degrees in Biological Natural Sciences and the History and Philosophy of Science from Downing College, Cambridge University. Follow me on Twitter theroberthart or get in touch at rhartforbes.com
Consulte Mais informação »
Blatter, Platini acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA in Swiss trialSepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA, a rare positive outcome for the pair who were among football’s most powerful figures before being embroiled in probes.
Consulte Mais informação »
Blatter and Platini acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFASepp Blatter and Michel Platini were acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA by a Swiss criminal court on Friday.
Consulte Mais informação »
Ex-Soccer Bosses Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Acquitted in Corruption TrialSepp Blatter and Michel Platini, the respective former FIFA and UEFA presidents, faced criminal charges after a U.S. government investigation found a payment worth around $2 million paid from FIFA to Platini
Consulte Mais informação »
Blatter and Platini acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFASepp Blatter and Michel Platini were acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA by a Swiss criminal court on Friday.
Consulte Mais informação »
Blatter, Platini acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA in Swiss trialSepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA, a rare positive outcome for the pair who were among football’s most powerful figures before being embroiled in probes.
Consulte Mais informação »