Michel Platini, a former powerful figure in football, has been banned for eight years by FIFA over corruption, including accepting a controversial payment from Sepp Blatter. This ban ends his hopes to succeed Blatter as FIFA president and to retain his roles in football governance. Platini is recognized for his illustrious playing career and contributions to football administration, having served as UEFA president since 2007.
Michel Platini, once a towering figure in global football, faces a significant career setback. Recently banned by FIFA’s ethics committee for eight years due to corruption, this decision effectively ends his aspirations to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president. Alongside the ban, he is required to resign from his position as a FIFA vice president and head of UEFA, positions that provided him substantial influence within the sport.
The ban stems from Platini accepting a contentious payment of two million Swiss francs (approximately $2 million) from Sepp Blatter, who is also facing an eight-year ban. The ethics committee’s conclusion criticized Platini for lacking credibility and integrity, failing to recognize his responsibilities associated with such a high-profile role. This investigation began following scrutiny from the Swiss attorney general over the payment, which remains under investigation.
At 60 years old, Platini was considered a frontrunner to replace Blatter in the upcoming emergency election scheduled for February 26, an opportunity now lost. Known for his leadership of UEFA since 2007, he is a legendary player who had an illustrious playing career before moving into management and administration in football.
Born on June 21, 1955, in Joeuf, France, Platini’s professional journey included impressive stints at Nancy, Saint-Etienne, and Juventus. He famously captained France to victory in the 1984 European Championship, where he holds the record for the most goals scored in the tournament. Platini also played pivotal roles in advancing France to the semi-finals in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
During his international tenure, he made 72 appearances for France, netting 41 goals—an impressive record that stood until overtaken by Thierry Henry in 2007. Anointed as “le Roi” (the King), Platini is celebrated for his skill and playmaking prowess, winning the prestigious European Footballer of the Year award three times: 1983, 1984, and 1985.
After 501 games with 265 goals, Platini ventured into coaching, leading the French national team with varied success from 1988 to 1992. He declined a coaching opportunity with Real Madrid, instead assisting French President Francois Mitterrand in organizing the 1998 World Cup in France. Subsequently, he became an advisor to Sepp Blatter and quickly ascended to significant roles in FIFA and UEFA.
His influence grew as he co-chaired the organizing committee for the 1998 World Cup and held the vice-presidency of the French Football Federation shortly thereafter. Since 2002, Platini has served on UEFA’s executive committee and became instrumental in planning the 2006 World Cup in Germany, cementing his longstanding involvement in football’s upper echelons.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
