Platini quits as UEFA President

Michel Platini said on Monday he would resign
as UEFA president after his appeal against a six-
year ban from football activities failed.

The Frenchman said he would resign to pursue
the case over a suspect $2m payment in Swiss
courts in a bid to clear his name.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the
appeal saying it was not convinced about the
“legitimacy” of the payment ordered by ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

It did cut the ban to four years and reduced a
fine from 80,000 Swiss francs ($80,000) to
60,000 Swiss francs.

“I note today’s decision by the Court of
Arbitration for Sport but I consider it a profound
injustice,” Platini said in a statement.

“This decision inflicts a suspension for which the
length stops me, de facto, and by luck, from
being a candidate in the next FIFA presidential
election,” he added.

“As agreed with the national associations, I
resign as president of UEFA to pursue my fight
before the Swiss courts to prove my probity in
this case.

“Life has always kept beautiful surprises for me,
now I am free to live them,” said the former
French football star.

The decision means that Platini will not be able
to take any official role in the European
Championship finals that start in France on June
10. He was a key organiser of the event until the
FIFA payment scandal erupted.