Sepp Blatter facing criminal investigation over 'disloyalty payment' to Michel Platini



Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter



FOOTBALL was left in chaos last night after Swiss authorities opened a criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter as FIFA went into lockdown with the discredited president still in charge.

 

Blatter is only in charge till elections in February but yesterday, the favourite to succeed him, UEFA chief executive Michel Platini, was drawn into the developing scandal for the first time.

The Swiss attorney general's office yesterday confirmed they were "interrogating" Blatter on suspicion of "criminal mismanagement as well as misappropriation" with regard to a TV rights deal struck in 2005 with disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner. Blatter's office was searched and data removed.

 

"Additionally, Mr Blatter is suspected of a disloyal payment of 2million Swiss francs (£1.35m) to Michel Platini at the expense of FIFA, which was allegedly made for work performed between January 1999 and June 2002," a statement said.

Platini was also interviewed yesterday as a witness and, while there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on behalf of the former France international, his chances of taking over the presidency were nevertheless described as "rocking" by former FA chief executive Mark Palios.

"At first glance it rather feels like Platini's presidential campaign is holed beneath the water line by virtue of the face that if that payment is verified and - even if legal - is seen to be 'disloyal', it's against FIFA's interests. How can somebody stand as president if he has received a payment that is disloyal to FIFA?"

 

However, Platini responded with a statement of his own: "I have always been open to supporting the relevant bodies and authorities in their investigative work and therefore cooperated fully.

"I wish to state that the amount relates to work which I carried out under a contract with FIFA and I was pleased to have been able to clarify all matters relating to this with the authorities."

A FIFA press conference scheduled for last night was cancelled and 170 reporters were ordered to leave the FIFA HQ building in Zurich. However, reports soon emerged that Blatter was still in office and would only be suspended if he were charged or more evidence came to light.