FIFA Tells Michel Platini he Can't Appeal Directly to Sports Court
Michel Platini was banned on Monday for eight years along with Sepp Blatter over a 2011 payment of 2 million Swiss francs from FIFA that the president authorized for the former France captain.
- Associated Press
- Updated: December 22, 2015 08:33 PM IST
FIFA told Michel Platini on Tuesday that he cannot bypass its appeals process by challenging his eight-year ban directly at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (Michel Platini Calls FIFA's Eight-Year Ban 'Kick in The Teeth')
Platini had been hoping to cut out the required FIFA appeals procedure as he races to try to overturn his ban before the Feb. 26 presidential election.
FIFA said it wrote to Platini's lawyers on Tuesday to confirm that the UEFA leader can only go to CAS if the governing body's appeals committee first rejects his request. FIFA rules state a list of candidates must be finalized one month before the election in Zurich. (Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini Vow to Keep Fighting, Despite FIFA Ban)
Platini was banned on Monday for eight years along with Sepp Blatter over a 2011 payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2 million) from FIFA that the president authorized for the former France captain.
Blatter's appeal will focus on FIFA's ethics judge being unable to find sufficient evidence of corruption or bribery in the case, which saw both him and Platini banned for unethical conduct. (Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini Banned By FIFA Ethics Court for Eight Years)
"Blatter is eager to present his arguments to the appeal committee that the remaining charges must also fail because the evidence clearly demonstrates the relationship with Mr. Platini was in all respects appropriate," Blatter's legal team said in a statement.