- Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are back in Swiss court for a fraud trial.
- The case involves a disputed $2.22 million payment made in 2011.
- Both were acquitted in 2022, but prosecutors appealed the decision.
- Prosecutors seek 20-month suspended sentences for both men.
- The verdict is expected on March 25, 2025.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini returned to a Swiss court on Monday, March 3, 2025. They are facing renewed fraud charges over a $2.22 million payment made to Platini in 2011. Blatter authorized the payment, and both insist it was for legitimate advisory work.
The payment links back to Blatter’s time as FIFA President and Platini’s advisory role from 1998 to 2002. They say they had a verbal agreement for an annual salary of 1 million Swiss francs. However, only part of the money was paid at that time. The remaining amount was finally settled in 2011, nearly ten years later.
In July 2022, the Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona acquitted both men after an 11-day trial. The court accepted their explanation of a “gentlemen’s agreement” for the payment. But prosecutors challenged the verdict, pushing for a retrial, which has now brought them back to court.
Swiss Prosecutor Seeks Suspended Sentences
Swiss federal prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand is pushing for 20-month suspended sentences for both Blatter and Platini. He argues that the payment was unlawful because there was no written contract to support it. Furthermore, he questions its legitimacy, pointing out that the delay in payment raises serious concerns.
Despite the allegations, Blatter and Platini firmly stand by their innocence. Blatter, now 88, passionately defended himself, saying, “When you talk about falsehoods, lies, and deception, that’s not me.” Meanwhile, Platini, 69, insists that the payment was completely legitimate since it was based on a verbal agreement for advisory work.
These allegations have taken a massive toll on their careers. Back in 2015, Blatter stepped down as FIFA President amid corruption investigations. Similarly, Platini, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner, saw his dream of leading FIFA crumble. As a result, both men faced bans from football, marking a stunning downfall for two of the sport’s most powerful figures.
Now, all eyes are on the retrial, which is set to wrap up on March 6. A verdict is expected on March 25, and its impact will go beyond just their legal fate. It will also play a key role in shaping the ongoing debate about governance and ethics in international football.