Platini says cleared by Swiss authorities, plans return

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Platini says cleared by Swiss authorities, plans return

 

FILE PHOTO: Former UEFA President Michel Platini speaks before the election of the new UEFA President in Athens, Greece September 14, 2016. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

 

PARIS (Reuters) - Former European soccer chief Michel Platini has said he has been cleared by Swiss authorities of any criminal wrongdoing over payments he received from FIFA that resulted in a ban for ethics violations and that he now plans to return to the game.

 

The Frenchman was banned from all soccer-related activities over a two million Swiss francs ($2.02 million) payment FIFA made to him in 2011, with former chief Sepp Blatter's approval, for work done a decade earlier.

 

FIFA's ethics committee said the payment, made at a time when Blatter was seeking re-election, lacked transparency and presented conflicts of interest. Both men denied wrongdoing.

 

A criminal investigation was opened against Platini, but the former France captain said on Saturday he had been told by the Swiss authorities that had now been closed.

 

"After (three) years of investigation, the Public Ministry of the (Swiss) Confederation has just restored the truth by officially confirming that no charge has been at any time or will be in the future held against me in connection with my activities for FIFA," Platini said in a statement.

 

"This official information from an authority of justice attests definitely of my innocence."

 

Platini was initially banned from all soccer-related activities for eight years. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the suspension to four years.

 

The 62-year-old added he and his family had been living a nightmare for the last three years.

 

"These years were difficult and painful," Platini said.

 

"My honour and integrity have been tarnished. I was robbed for three years of professional life.

 

"I will come back: where, when, how? It is too early to tell. But I will come back to football."

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-26

[stevenl]

Even if true this doesn't prove innocence.

 

It was 100% unethical, he should be banned for life.

[Baerboxer]

19 hours ago, stevenl said:

Even if true this doesn't prove innocence.

 

It was 100% unethical, he should be banned for life.

 

Appalling scam. His mate, seeking his support for re-election, paid him $2m allegedly for work carried out 10 years before that had never been provisioned in any accounts or gone through any proper internal procedures.

 

In the news report I read it said the Swiss authorities said there would be no further actions taken at this time - which is rather different to how this corrupt POS is trying to position it. They have not cleared him at all. 

 

He and that corrupt old POS Blatter should both be jailed. But like all hisos everywhere, they'll get away with it. And the money, presumably he's keeping it

[Baerboxer]

19 hours ago, stevenl said:

Even if true this doesn't prove innocence.

 

It was 100% unethical, he should be banned for life.

 

Appalling scam. His mate, seeking his support for re-election, paid him $2m allegedly for work carried out 10 years before that had never been provisioned in any accounts or gone through any proper internal procedures.

 

In the news report I read it said the Swiss authorities said there would be no further actions taken at this time - which is rather different to how this corrupt POS is trying to position it. They have not cleared him at all. 

 

He and that corrupt old POS Blatter should both be jailed. But like all hisos everywhere, they'll get away with it. And the money, presumably he's keeping it

[Andaman Al]

I thought this guy was awesome when I was a kid. Turns out he was just as toxic as Septic Bladder and did much to hold international football back. He may have been through 3 years of hell, but its not quite hell with millions in the bank is it.

[CharlesSwann]

They would have to prove that Platini knew the payment was not just improper but illegal. He can always throw up his hands and say he thought it was normal business as far as he knew, and unless they have emails or phonetaps that give the game away, then he's covered.

 

Stinks, of course, and Platini would be better advised to retire quietly, especially if he kept the money.

[BobBKK]

Just because the Swiss are not going to lay charges means nothing!  an internal investigation shows he was given a bung 'for work carried out 10 years ago'