Blatter, Platini banned for eight years

FIFA has announced that both Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, have been suspended for eight years from all football-related activities, with immediate effect.

The pair have been under investigation by the federation’s Ethics Committee, over a “disloyal payment” made by Blatter to Platini in February 2011.

Platini’s explanation of the payment was deemed “not convincing” by the Ethics Committee and he has been fined 80,000 Swiss Francs, and Blatter 50,000.

A statement read: “The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 (£1.34m) transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini.

“Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999.

“Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.”