The outgoing FIFA president and UEFA president Platini were on Monday both given the lengthy bans from all football activity for abusing their positions.
Advertisement
At Least 11 Dead in Tornadoes, Severe Storms Near Dallas
A very preliminary count indicated 11 tornadoes hit the Dallas area Saturday evening, according to the National Weather Service. Three other deaths were reported in the Dallas metro area, the nation’s fourth most populous, with about 7 million people.
“I will fight. I will fight until the end”, Blatter said Monday at a news conference that started 90 minutes after he and former protege Michel Platini were each banned by FIFA’s ethics committee.
Teams are 6-7 when choosing OT kickoff
The former acquired the three big stars in Sunday’s game: Fitzpatrick , receiver Brandon Marshall , and cornerback Darrelle Revis. Fitzpatrick passed for two third-down conversions during the drive, which he capped with a 2-yard pass to Marshall .
In addition to the lengthy bans, Blatter and Platini have been fined 50,000 and 80,000 Swiss francs respectively.
Downton Abbey beats Strictly Come Dancing in Christmas Day ratings battle
The Downton finale went head to head with EastEnders, which pulled in 5.7 million viewers for the same 8.45pm slot. Over its six seasons, Downton Abbey has won a host of accolades, including numerous Emmy Awards.
Blatter was already planning to stand aside on February 26 when a new president is due to be elected.
“I believe in God, but I also believe in myself”.
Blatter invoked Nelson Mandela within a minute, pointing to the spot where the iconic South African leader had lifted the World Cup trophy 11 years ago, when his country was chosen as the host nation for the 2010 tournament. “I am suspended eight years – for what?”
The $2 million payment for Platini emerged when a Swiss bank reported it, as part of compliance practices with monitoring money-laundering. I have served them for more than 40 years.
“It is very hard for me to estimate this decision”.
The court said “Mr Blatter’s actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, and demonstrated an abusive execution of his position as President of FIFA”. But I would like to see someone from outside football, a person of world stature brought into this, who’s got no baggage and nobody could criticize and could bring a really fresh approach to this.
Neither man has been able to provide a written contract for the payment and they failed to explain why it was eventually paid in 2011, a few weeks before a presidential election in which Blatter was facing a challenge from Mohamed bin Hammam.
“Whatever we think in England it will be interesting to hear the reaction of the 137 countries who voted for Mr Blatter as president only last May”.
Blatter says he will fight for himself and the Federation Internationale de Football Association, and was said to have appeared very defiant over the decision to ban him and Plantini. We go once again to the sport committee and to the Swiss courts.
Despite the ban, both Blatter and Platini will be allowed to attend matches – including Euro 2016 in France – if they buy tickets in a private capacity. “I regret I am this punching bag”.
The FIFA President and head of UEFA were also fined for ethics violations over a big payment made to Platini, but still maintain their innocence.
Swiss prosecutors are also investigating FIFA’s management as well as the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russian Federation and Qatar.
Advertisement
“Having opted early for Mr Platini, we haven’t decided who we are going to support yet”.
