Former FIFA President Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter has largely escaped any punishment for the imploding organisation that he left behind him, many officials in the grips of authorities, under investigation of some kind.

However, Blatter himself and former UEFA head Michelle Platini were involved in their own mini scandal, regarding a payment made to Platini by Blatter back in 2001.

The duo were suspended a few months back, and after an investigation, have been banned from the game for a total of eight years. Blatter’s explanation that the payment was for services rendered by Platini back in 1999 was found to lack merit.

A statement was released to announce the news…

“The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 (£1.34m) transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini.

“Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999.

“Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.”