The Federal Criminal Court in Muttenz has acquitted Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini of fraud and forgery charges, concluding a lengthy legal battle that began in 1998. The court found insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s claims and upheld the presumption of innocence. While Platini will receive a refund of the previously seized 2 million francs, the ruling also rescinded a minor compensation for Blatter, marking a significant end to a protracted saga involving FIFA.
Verdict in the Blatter and Platini Case
The extraordinary appeals chamber of the Federal Criminal Court in Muttenz delivered its verdict on Tuesday, exonerating former football icons Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini of fraud and forgery charges. This ruling brings to a close a complex legal saga that began over two decades ago, in 1998.
Background of the Case
In 1998, shortly after being elected president of FIFA, Blatter hired Platini, a renowned football star and the head of the organizing committee for the 1998 World Cup in France, as an advisor. Over the next four years, Platini received an annual salary of 300,000 Swiss francs, amounting to a total of 1.2 million Swiss francs, as documented in FIFA’s financial records.
Fast forward to 2011, when FIFA, under Blatter’s direction, disbursed an additional 2 million Swiss francs to Platini. This payment raised suspicions, leading to a decade-long investigation by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, which failed to secure a solid legal outcome during the appeals process.
In delivering the verdict, presiding judge Roland Hofmann stated that the prosecution’s version of events lacked convincing evidence necessary for a conviction. He noted that the defense’s alternative explanation, which both Blatter and Platini had maintained from the start, could not be dismissed. Consequently, the appeals chamber upheld the original acquittal “in dubio pro reo,” meaning in doubt for the accused.
Blatter and Platini claimed they had made an oral agreement in 1998 for a fee of 1 million Swiss francs per year, although FIFA’s financial situation at the time limited them to paying 300,000 francs. The court determined that any miscalculation by Platini regarding his later claims did not undermine the credibility of their account.
While the appeals chamber did amend one aspect of the initial ruling by rescinding a 20,000 franc compensation for Blatter—indicating he did not suffer damage justifying such payment—it did affirm the acquittals. Platini, however, faced a bitter irony: he had to withdraw his candidacy for FIFA president in 2015 due to the allegations, and although he is now acquitted, the repercussions of that situation endure. Gianni Infantino, who assumed the presidency in his stead, has since solidified his position.
Platini will receive a refund of the seized 2 million francs, with interest, but the court’s decision to award him only 1,500 francs in compensation for the appeals process feels almost trivial. Blatter received the same amount from FIFA, highlighting the ongoing tensions between him and the organization.
In a surprising twist, the court effectively dismissed FIFA’s follow-up appeal, as the organization had shown a lack of interest in pursuing the case. Despite this, FIFA was held responsible for a portion of the procedural costs due to their loss in court.
As federal prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand approaches retirement, the likelihood of further legal review diminishes. Thus, after nearly 27 years since the case began, it appears to be nearing a resolution. At 89 years old, Joseph Blatter can finally embrace a sense of freedom.