Fifa’s ethic committee are looking to impose a lifetime ban on Michel Platini, according to the lawyer responsible for the investigatory chamber’s report into the Uefa president.
Hans-Joachim Eckert, the German judge who chairs the adjudicatory chamber of Fifa’s ethics committee, has opened formal proceedings against both Platini and Fifa president Sepp Blatter after receiving the final report of an investigation into alleged misdemeanours connected to a £1.3m payment made to the Uefa chief by Blatter in 2011.
Speculation has been rife in terms of what punishment Platini might receive, with initial reports suggesting that he and Blatter would be hit with either a 5 or 6 year ban. However, Vanessa Allard, who had led the investigation into Platini and Blatter, has told AFP that she has recommended a lifetime ban for the former France international footballer.
Both men face lengthy bans if they are found guilty, with a decision over their futures with Fifa expected soon. Platini is bidding to succeed Blatter when the next Fifa president is elected on 26 February 2016, but any ban will prevent him from running for the presidency.
Blatter and Platini are currently provisionally suspended by Fifa pending the outcome of their investigation into them. Both deny any wrongdoing.
