Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini: Cleared of Corruption Charges

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and France soccer legend Michel Platini were acquitted of corruption charges by a Swiss court. The charges related to a payment of 2 million Swiss francs authorized by Blatter for Platini in 2011. The court found no fraudulent intent by the pair.

Sepp Blatter, former President of FIFA, and Michel Platini, a football legend from France, have been exonerated of corruption charges by a Swiss court. This decision comes two and a half years following their initial acquittal for similar accusations.

The Swiss federal prosecutors' appeal against their 2022 acquittal led to this hearing. The charges revolved around Blatter's authorization of a 2 million Swiss franc payment to Platini in 2011, which prosecutors alleged to be fraudulent. However, the court expressed doubts regarding the allegations, emphasizing the consistent accounts from both Blatter and Platini about a legitimate oral agreement.

The repercussions of the scandal, first emerged in 2015, had far-reaching effects, including ending Platini's ambition to succeed Blatter at FIFA and resulting in their suspensions from football. Both men have expressed relief over the verdict, with Platini feeling his honor has been restored, while Blatter described it as a significant relief after a decade-long ordeal.

(With inputs from agencies.)