The Frenchman said the reason for the resignation was to enable him pursue the case of a suspected $2 million payment in Swiss courts in a bid to clear his name.
Platini has been UEFA president since 2007 and the FIFA ban which was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport has ended his career as one of the most powerful figures in sports.
The CAS, while rejecting the appeal said it was not convinced about the “legitimacy” of the payment ordered by ex-FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.
It then reduced the ban from six years to four and also cut his fine from 80,000 Swiss francs ($80,000) to 60,000 Swiss francs.
Platini said in a statement, “I note today’s decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport but I consider it a profound injustice.”
“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.”
“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.”
The decision means that Platini will not be able to take any official role in the European Championship finals that will start in France on June 10.
He was a key organiser of the event until the FIFA payment scandal erupted.
No comments:
Post a Comment