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April 27, 2016

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Blatter to be present at Platini’s CAS appeal

MICHEL Platini expects Sepp Blatter to attend as a witness in his appeal against a six-year FIFA ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday.

Platini’s office said yesterday that Blatter has been called by FIFA as a witness for the hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Platini, the UEFA president, was suspended by FIFA’s ethics committee for receiving a 2 million Swiss francs (US$2 million) payment in 2011 from Blatter, who was then the FIFA president.

Blatter has also been suspended for six years and is challenging his sanction. His appeal will be heard at a later date. Both men deny any wrongdoing, and each is effectively the main defense witness for the other.

They claim they had a verbal contract for Platini to get backdated salary for work as Blatter’s presidential adviser in 1999-2002.

FIFA’s interim secretary general, Markus Kattner, is another potential witness, either in person or by video link. Kattner has been FIFA’s finance director for more than a decade and handled Platini’s request for payment in 2010.

The hearing on Friday will be conducted in French despite FIFA’s opposition and preference for English, Platini’s office said. The France great typically prefers to avoid speaking in English at formal events. Platini and UEFA want a faster verdict than Blatter, to clarify their position before the European Championship. The 24-team tournament kicks off on June 10 in Platini’s homeland.




 

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