Football: Appeal in the FIFA fraud process: Blatter “confident”

Before a Swiss court, it is once again about a supposed oral million deal at the expense of the health insurance fund of the FIFA World Federation Association. The then FIFA boss Joseph Blatter, with Michel Platini, President of the European Football Union (UEFA), wants to identify two million francs of consultants at the end of the 90s, even if the payment was only made in 2011. After an acquittal in 2022, it is now about the appeal. There are allegations, fraud, forgery of documents and embezzlement in the room.

Blatter, more frail at the age of 88 than three years ago, said when arriving at the court in Muttenz near Basel: “I am very confident.” Platini (69) went into the building without a word.

The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona had both acquitted both in 2022 because the public prosecutor’s office could not convince the court of dirty business. “If in doubt for the accused,” as the judge said. Because an appeal judge is considered biased, the appeal procedure according to Muttenz was moved to Basel.

“An oral contract remains an oral contract,” said Blatter of the German Press Agency before the negotiation. “This was not a payment under the table, but was billed according to the principles that exist at FIFA.”

For Blatter, only confirmation of the acquittal is acceptable. “If it comes negative, I have to collect energy, then we go to appeal,” he said. Platini also announced through his lawyer: “My client fully denies the allegations of the federal prosecutor.”