Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, two of the most powerful figures in football’s modern history, have once again found themselves at the center of a legal storm. On March 3, 2025, the pair appeared in a Swiss courtroom, facing a new chapter in a long-running corruption case tied to a €2.1 million payment made over a decade ago a payment that continues to haunt both their legacies.
The Origins of the €2.1 Million Payment
At the heart of the case is a payment authorized by Blatter, then the all-powerful president of FIFA, to Platini, who at the time was head of UEFA and seen by many as Blatter’s heir apparent. The payment, made in 2011, was described as back pay for advisory work Platini had performed for FIFA between 1998 and 2002.
Blatter and Platini both insist that the money was entirely above board a belated but fully agreed-upon compensation for services rendered, even if no formal contract was ever produced. The prosecution, however, paints a very different picture, alleging that the payment was nothing more than a disguised payoff, orchestrated to secretly enrich Platini at FIFA’s expense.
From Acquittal to Appeal The Case That Won’t Die
This isn’t the first time Blatter and Platini have stood trial over this payment. Back in 2022, the same Swiss court acquitted both men, ruling that while the payment may have been irregular, the prosecution failed to prove it was fraudulent. That verdict should have closed the book but Swiss prosecutors weren’t ready to let go.
Following the acquittal, the prosecution lodged an appeal, arguing that the court had overlooked crucial evidence and failed to properly assess how the payment violated FIFA’s internal rules. As a result, the case is now back in court, dragging both men and all the ghosts of FIFA’s scandal-ridden past into the spotlight once again.
Blatter and Platini: From Partners to Pariahs
Blatter, now 88 years old, and Platini, 69, were once the most powerful double act in world football. Blatter, a master politician, relied heavily on Platini’s footballing credibility to solidify his grip on power. Platini, in turn, climbed the ladder at UEFA with Blatter’s backing. But their relationship eventually curdled into bitter rivalry, particularly after Platini made it clear that he wanted to succeed Blatter as FIFA president.
For Blatter, the 2011 payment may have been an attempt to keep Platini loyal. For Platini, it may have been a final cash-out before making his own power play. Whatever the motives, the payment has turned into a legal millstone, one that neither man can escape.
Prosecutors Push for Suspended Sentences
This time around, Swiss prosecutors are seeking suspended prison sentences of 20 months for both men essentially meaning they wouldn’t serve actual time behind bars, but the conviction would officially mark them as fraudsters. Prosecutors argue that regardless of what personal agreements existed between Blatter and Platini, the payment violated FIFA’s own financial procedures and was kept off the books for a reason.
For Swiss authorities, the case is also about credibility. Switzerland has long been criticized for its lax handling of financial crimes, especially when it comes to powerful figures in international sports organizations like FIFA. A successful prosecution would send a message but a second acquittal would be a major embarrassment.
Blatter and Platini Fight Back
Both men have been defiant, insisting they did nothing wrong. Blatter, despite his frail health, stood in court and repeated his now-familiar mantra: “There was no fraud.” Platini, who has always framed himself as the victim of a political conspiracy, echoed that sentiment, calling the case a smear campaign designed to destroy his chances of ever leading FIFA.
Their defense hinges on the claim that the payment was based on a “gentleman’s agreement”, a handshake deal common in the murky world of football governance. In their view, the lack of a written contract doesn’t make the payment illegal — just informal.
A Trial with Global Implications
The outcome of this trial will ripple far beyond Switzerland’s borders. FIFA has spent the past decade trying to rehabilitate its image, rolling out new compliance rules and publicly distancing itself from the Blatter era. But every time Blatter and Platini are dragged back into court, it reminds the world just how rotten things once were at the heart of football’s governing body.
Whether they walk free again or finally face conviction, the trial underscores a broader truth: football’s battle with corruption isn’t over. The game’s reputation was built on moments of brilliance on the pitch but for too long, its powerbrokers were more interested in backroom deals than the beautiful game.
What’s Next?
The trial is expected to wrap up by March 6, with a final verdict due on March 25, 2025. Even if they are convicted, the suspended sentences would likely mean no jail time, but their reputations already badly tarnished could take another major hit. For Blatter, it’s yet another chapter in a legacy defined by scandal. For Platini, it’s a painful reminder that the dream of leading FIFA the pinnacle of global football ended not on the pitch, but in a courtroom.
