FIFA Financial Fraud Case: Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini Acquitted Again At Second Trial

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini achieved another legal victory on Tuesday, leading 2-0 in trial verdicts against Swiss federal prosecutors. The former FIFA president and the former UEFA president were acquitted for a second time of charges including fraud, forgery, mismanagement, and misappropriation of more than $2 million in FIFA funds from 2011. Blatter, now 89 years old, showed limited reaction as he listened to the verdict delivered by three cantonal judges acting as a federal criminal appeals court. He sat in front of Platini, occasionally tapping his fingers on the desk or covering his mouth with his hand. Meanwhile, Platini sat with his arms crossed or rubbing his hands, listening to a translator beside him who was conveying the court's verdict from German into his native French. The attorney general's office in Switzerland had challenged an earlier acquittal from July 2022 and sought sentences of 20 months, suspended for two years.

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Updated on: 27 March 2025 2:50 pm

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FIFA Financial Fraud Case: | Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

Former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, arriving to the verdict at the special appeals court, in Muttenz, Switzerland.

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Switzerland FIFA Financial Fraud Case Sepp Blatter Michel Platini Trial Verdict_Michel Platini

FIFA Financial Fraud Case: Michel Platini | Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

Former UEFA President, Michel Platini, after the verdict at the special appeals court, in Muttenz, Switzerland.

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FIFA Financial Fraud Case: Sepp Blatter | Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

Former Fifa President, Sepp Blatter, centre, and his lawyer Lorenz Erni, right, after the verdict at the special appeals court, in Muttenz, Switzerland.

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FIFA Financial Fraud Case: Michel Platini | Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

Former UEFA President, Michel Platini after the verdict at the special appeals court, in Muttenz, Switzerland.

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FIFA Financial Fraud Case: Michel Platini | Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

Former UEFA President, Michel Platini, centre, and his Lawyer Dominic Nellen, left, arriving to the verdict at the special appeals court, in Muttenz, Switzerland.

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FIFA Financial Fraud Case: Sepp Blatter | Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

Former Fifa President, Sepp Blatter, arriving to the verdict at the special appeals court, in Muttenz, Switzerland,

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FIFA Financial Fraud Case: Michel Platini | Photo: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

Former UEFA President, Michel Platini, centre, and his Lawyer Dominic Nellen, left, arriving to the verdict at the special appeals court, in Muttenz, Switzerland.