Zimpapers Logo

ZURICH. — The fallen head of European football Michel Platini appeared at FIFA’s headquarters yesterday to appeal against his eight-year ban from the sport over ethics violations.

“I am not fighting for my future, but against injustice,” the former French star told journalists outside the Zurich headquarters of world football’s governing body.

FIFA judges in December banned Platini from all football activities for eight years over a 2 million Swiss franc payment ($2 million) he received from FIFA’s disgraced president Sepp Blatter in 2011.

At the initial hearing, FIFA’s tribunal dismissed explanations from Platini’s lawyers that the payment — reportedly for consulting work done a decade earlier — was part of a legitimate oral contract between the Frenchman and Blatter. — AFP.