FIFA ethics probe ‘requests sanctions’ against Sepp, Platini

The FIFA ethics committee probing allegations of corruption against suspended president Sepp Blatter and his would-be successor, Michel Platini, requested Saturday that sanctions be levelled against both men.

Citing privacy and the presumption of innocence, the committee said it would not disclose the nature of the punishments requested against the two men, who for years were the most powerful figures in world football.

However, the announcement sparked an angry response from Platini’s lawyer, who said that FIFA had “lost all credibility”.

The committee, known as the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s independent ethics watchdog, said it had submitted its final report to the body’s judgement arm, which will weigh up the recommendations.

The fallout from the report could prove massive for the future of world football’s governing body, including the possibility of permanently derailing Platini’s candidacy to lead FIFA.

The investigatory chamber said in a statement that its final report contained “requests for sanctions against Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini.”

A separate statement from the adjudicatory chamber confirmed that it had received the reports and will study the findings “carefully.”