Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and former UEFA president Michel Platini have been acquitted of corruption by a Swiss court.
The two prominent figures were cleared of fraud over a payment of two million Swiss francs (£1.7 million) from FIFA to Platini in 2011.
At the time, Platini, 67, was the president of UEFA and a FIFA vice-president and was expected to succeed Blatter, 86, as president of FIFA. The payment was uncovered in 2015.
The pair said the payment to Platini for consultancy services was part of a “gentleman’s agreement” made in 1998 during Blatter’s first term as president. Prosecutors argued this version of events was an in “invention”.
The payment from FIFA to Platini was then authorised by Blatter in 2011 while campaigning to be re-elected the head of the world football body.
Swiss prosecutors had said it “was made without a legal basis” and “unlawfully enriched Platini”, who was seen to hold a significant influence on the votes in Europe.
In 2015, the U.S. government launched an investigation into bribery, fraud and money laundering, which led to Blatter standing down. He and Platini were then banned from football for eight years, which was later reduced.
A judge today found the pair not guilty, and Platini will now get back his two million Swiss francs.
Speaking following today’s verdict, Mr Platini said: “I want to express my happiness for all my loved ones that justice has finally been done after seven years of lies and manipulation.”
He added: “My fight is a fight against injustice. I won a first game.”
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