Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini have been acquitted of corruption charges by a Swiss court on March 25, 2025. This verdict, delivered by the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court in Muttenz, follows their initial acquittal in July 2022, marking a significant legal victory for both football officials after a decade-long saga.
The scrutiny surrounding Blatter and Platini stems from a controversial payment of 2 million Swiss francs (approximately $2.26 million) that Blatter approved for Platini in 2011. This payment was reportedly a consultancy fee for work conducted by Platini as an advisor to Blatter from 1998 to 2002. The case gained traction following a federal investigation that revealed alleged improprieties within FIFA's financial practices, leading to both men facing serious legal challenges.
During the latest hearing, the court confirmed their freedoms from charges including fraud and falsification of documents. The Swiss Attorney General's Office had previously contested the first acquittal, seeking a suspended sentence of 20 months for both men, arguing that the payments were unfounded and achieved through misleading statements to FIFA's internal controls. However, Blatter and Platini have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the payment was part of a verbal agreement.
“After two acquittals, even the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland must realise that these criminal proceedings have definitively failed,” stated Platini’s lawyer, Dominic Nellen. “Michel Platini must finally be left in peace in criminal matters.” This sentiment speaks volumes about the toll the legal battles have taken on the former football stars, especially since Platin’s aspirations for the FIFA presidency were dismantled by the scandal.
The case has had profound consequences not only in legal terms but also personally and professionally for both figures. Nellen noted, “The criminal proceedings have had not only legal but also massive personal and professional consequences for Michel Platini — although no incriminating evidence was ever presented.” The ordeal prevented Platini's election as FIFA president in 2016 and essentially derailed his career in football governance, despite his illustrious past as a player and his high-profile role at UEFA.
Blatter and Platini's rise and fall are entwined with this case, which has been scrutinized in the court of public opinion as much as in the legal system. The controversies ignited by the investigation, first publicly revealed in 2015, not only ended Blatter's presidency but also turned the narratives of both men from respected leaders to figures ensnared in scandal.
As the acquittal was announced, Blatter, now 89 years old, displayed little visible emotion during the court proceedings. Platini, who is 69, attended the hearing silently, listening intently to the translations of the judgment from German into French. His demeanor has reflected the weight of the accusations he has faced over the years as the world of football watched closely.
Though the decision on March 25 has cleared their names in the eyes of the law, the reputational damage remains significant. Both men have expressed their commitment to fighting against what they see as unfounded allegations that have tarnished their legacies. The Swiss federal investigation was particularly damaging, revealing financial dealings that were once considered routine but now appear under a harsh light of scrutiny.
Despite being acquitted, the implications of this case linger as a stain on the careers of the once-powerful duo. Blatter, who led FIFA through a tumultuous era of corruption scandals, and Platini, who was seen as a potential successor to Blatter, now must navigate the aftermath of these legal battles and the reputational costs they incurred.
While this latest verdict marks a turning point, the door to further appeals remains open. Prosecutors can still appeal to the Swiss Supreme Court, potentially extending the saga yet again. Until then, Blatter and Platini can momentarily reflect on their latest legal victory and what it means for their futures in a game they once dominated.
In summary, the March 25 acquittal marks another chapter in a convoluted tale of power, influence, and ultimately, redemption in the eyes of the law for Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini. As former titans of football, their story is a haunting reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the world of sports governance.
