Blatter and Platini face FIFA suspensions
The development highlights the groundswell of opposition to the FIFA chief who was overwhelmingly given a fifth term by member countries in May of this year.
With various court action going on into allegations of corruption FIFA are in danger of imploding with leading sponsors last week calling for Blatter to step down.
Tonight it emerged that before the end of the week Blatter and Platini are likely to be served with suspensions. Platini had emerged as a likely successor to lead FIFA into a new era but news of a payment received from FIFA in 2011 has cast a shadow over the Frenchman’s prospects.
“What we know is that president Blatter was told he could be suspended for 90 days,” Klaus Stohlker, a Zurich based PR man with sources within FIFA, said. “The ethics committee has not taken any key decisions, they are waiting for further investigations. There is no guilt impugned.
“They put the ball to Mr (Michael, Swiss attorney) Lauber in Switzerland. He is now in position for further investigation. At least president Blatter has not flown away from his throne but is still in power. It’s a very difficult situation. It’s not good for global football.”
With Platini tainted by association with Blatter it looks likely that it will be a non-European that takes control of FIFA which is likely to lead to more tension with UEFA.
Plans to run the 2022 during November and December are likely to galvanise European opposition to FIFA with the bigger clubs unhappy about the growing influence of international competition.