Michel Platini Quits as UEFA President After Ban Appeal Fails

Michel Platini said on Monday he will resign as UEFA president after his appeal against a six-year ban from football activities failed.

The Frenchman said he would resign to pursue the case over a suspect $2 million payment in Swiss courts in a bid to clear his name.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the appeal saying it was not convinced about the "legitimacy" of the payment ordered by ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

It did cut the ban to four years and reduced a fine from 80,000 Swiss francs ($80,000) to 60,000 Swiss francs.

"I note today's decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport but I consider it a profound injustice," Platini said in a statement.

"This decision inflicts a suspension for which the length stops me, de facto, and by luck, from being a candidate in the next FIFA presidential election," he added.

"As agreed with the national associations, I resign as president of UEFA to pursue my fight before the Swiss courts to prove my probity in this case.

"Life has always kept beautiful surprises for me, now I am free to live them," said the former French football star.

The decision means that Platini will not be able to take any official role in the European Championship finals that start in France on June 10. He was a key organiser of the event until the FIFA payment scandal erupted.

CAS not convinced about FIFA payment

The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday rejected an appeal by Michel Platini against a six year ban from football saying it was "not convinced" a $2 million payment from FIFA was legitimate.

CAS cut the ban to four years however saying the punishment by FIFA was "too severe." A fine was also reduced. Platini announced that he would resign as UEFA president.

The court "was not convinced by the legitimacy of the 2,000,000 Swiss franc ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) payment, which was only recognised by Mr. Platini and Mr. (Sepp) Blatter, and which occurred more than eight years after the end of his work relations," said a statement from the tribunal based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"The suspension of Mr. Platini has been lowered from six to four years and the 80,000 Swiss franc fine (reduced) to 60,000," the court said in ruling on an appeal filed by Platini in February.