It's finally over for two of football's most powerful former figures. Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been cleared of corruption charges by a Swiss court. This marks their second acquittal in just two and a half years.
The ruling came Tuesday from the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber near Basel. Swiss prosecutors had appealed their 2022 acquittal, but the court stood firm in its decision.
The case centered around a 2 million Swiss franc (about $2.26 million) payment made to Platini in 2011. Both men consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.
The Payment That Changed Football's Power Structure
The money in question was allegedly a consultancy fee for work Platini did between 1998 and 2002. Platini claimed FIFA couldn't pay him the full amount right away, so part of it was deferred.
When the scandal broke in 2015, Platini was UEFA president and the frontrunner to succeed Blatter at FIFA. The allegations derailed his candidacy and forced Blatter out of his position.
"Michel Platini must finally be left in peace in criminal matters," said Platini's lawyer Dominic Nellen after the verdict. He emphasized that no incriminating evidence was ever presented against his client.
The scandal's timing couldn't have been worse for Platini. It crushed his dreams of becoming FIFA president in 2016, a position many believed was his for the taking.
Football's Changed Landscape
The aftermath of this scandal helped reshape football governance. FIFA implemented reforms and new leadership took over the organization.
For those following football politics, this verdict brings closure to one of the most dramatic power struggles in the sport's history. The current FIFA administration under Gianni Infantino has moved forward with new priorities.
While betting markets rarely cover administrative disputes, this resolution could stabilize FIFA's reputation. Organizations with stable governance typically produce more predictable tournament outcomes.
Both men were titans in football administration. Blatter led FIFA from 1998 to 2015, while Platini headed UEFA from 2007 to 2015. Before his administrative career, Platini was also a legendary player and manager for France.
This verdict likely marks the end of a saga that has hung over football's governing bodies for nearly a decade. For fans and stakeholders alike, it allows focus to return to on-field matters rather than boardroom battles.
As football continues to evolve, this case will be remembered as a pivotal moment that changed the direction of the sport's governance. Whether Blatter and Platini's legacies can be rehabilitated remains one of football's most interesting open questions.
