Ex-FIFA President Sepp Blatter Denies Fraud Charges in Swiss Court

Blatter and former UEFA head Michel Platini face renewed accusations over a controversial $2 million payment as they seek to uphold prior acquittals.

Sepp Blatter, 88, and Michel Platini, 69, are on trial in Switzerland over alleged fraud and embezzlement tied to a $2 million FIFA payment from 2011.
Both defendants claim the payment was for consulting services based on a verbal agreement from the late 1990s, which was delayed due to FIFA's financial constraints at the time.
A Swiss court acquitted Blatter and Platini in 2022 citing insufficient evidence, but prosecutors appealed the decision, with a verdict expected on March 25, 2025.
Blatter and Platini maintain their innocence and insist they will only accept a full acquittal, with Blatter stating he would appeal any unfavorable ruling.
The FIFA organization initiated the case in 2015 during a period of widespread corruption investigations and has since distanced itself from the current proceedings.