Released from custody, Michel Platini says police questioning was painful for him, given his storied career in soccer. Read what else he had to say here:
By SAMUEL PETREQUIN, JOHN LEICESTER and PATRICK HERMANSENMichel Platini and his lawyer William Bourdon, right, answer reporters after Platini has been freed, outside the French police anti-corruption and financial crimes office in Nanterre, outside Paris, early Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Former UEFA president Michel Platini proclaimed his innocence during police questioning Tuesday following his arrest as part of a corruption probe into the vote that gave the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
“I arrived and was immediately taken into custody. It hurts. It hurts for everything I can think of, everything I’ve done. It hurts, it hurts. But after all, they did their job and then we tried to answer all the questions,” he said. “I feel totally foreign to any of these matters. This is an old affair, you know it, we explained it. I have always expressed myself with full transparency in all the newspapers. That’s it, it goes on, they investigate, they search.”
The closed-door, secret-ballot FIFA vote in 2010 that picked Qatar baffled many at the time, not least because the Persian Gulf nation has no soccer pedigree to speak of. But the gas-rich nation is pouring billions into the world’s most popular sport and has the means to finance new stadiums. He added: “We do not believe in any way that Michel Platini can be considered as a suspect for anything, either yesterday or today or tomorrow. So for us, this affair is over.”
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who presided over the vote, has accused Platini of backing out of a secret “gentleman’s agreement” to award the tournament to the United States after meeting with Sarkozy, France’s president at the time.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Former UEFA chief Michel Platini questioned in Qatar World Cup probeMichel Platini, the former head of European football association UEFA, was detai...
Consulte Mais informação »
The Sweet Reason Soccer Star Alex Morgan Always Wears a Pink Headband in Her HairIf you've watched the US women's national soccer team compete in the 2019 FIFA World Cup, you've probably noticed a pink headband in Alex Morgan's hair —
Consulte Mais informação »
Tariffs hurt the economy, but China must be held accountable, Union Pacific CEO saysUnion Pacific CEO Lance Fritz tells Jim Cramer that he is optimistic about trade relations with China, Mexico, Japan, and the EU.
Consulte Mais informação »
Huawei says U.S. ban hurting more than expected, to wipe $30 billion off revenueHuawei says U.S. ban hurting more than expected, to wipe off $30 billion in revenue via ReutersTV
Consulte Mais informação »
Former UEFA head Platini detained in Qatar World Cup investigationMichel Platini, the former head of European football association UEFA, was detai...
Consulte Mais informação »