Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini are defending their names in a new court appeal hearing starting Monday in Switzerland.
Blatter, the former head of the world football's governing body FIFA, is anticipating the opportunity to clear his name of allegations of corrupt payments made to French football legend Michel Platini.
He has proclaimed his innocence and expressed confidence in a positive outcome from the hearing.
FIFA to take legal action to recover 'illegal' €1.83 from Platini
Speaking last week, Blatter described the appeal as "absolute nonsense" and asserted that he is the victim of a witch hunt.
The 88-year-old, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015, will appear in court alongside Platini, who was once seen as his potential successor at FIFA.
Both were previously cleared in 2022 by a lower court after a seven-year investigation into a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (about €2.1 million).
However, prosecutors contested that decision, leading to the current appeal.
According to Blatter: "The Federal Criminal Court in 2022 confirmed that the contract between Platini and me was valid.
"I am fully confident that the new court will uphold this decision".
'Gentlemen's agreement'
The case centres on a payment that FIFA made to Platini in 2011 – approved by Blatter – for work done a decade earlier.
In the 2022 ruling, the judge found the pair's explanation of a "gentlemen's agreement" credible and raised serious doubts about the prosecution's fraud allegations.
"The payment was made based on a legitimate contract, and the first court agreed," Blatter emphasised. "There was no bribery involved whatsoever."
Platini – a three-time European Footballer of the Year – has also denied the fraud charges.
His lawyer, Dominic Nellen, expressed confidence in another acquittal, stating: "It is incomprehensible that the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has appealed the case".
Blatter faces final hearing over payment to former France captain Platini
Despite the challenges, both Blatter and Platini remain optimistic.
The hearing gets under way in Muttenz, near Basel, with a verdict expected 25 March.
Federal prosecutors are seeking suspended sentences of 20 months for both men.
Blatter says he is looking forward to turning the page on the affair and enjoying his retirement by following international matches on television and attending local games in his home canton of Valais.
"I truly hope this brings the matter to a close," he said. "I'll be happy when everything is over, and I can live in peace."
(With newswires)
