One of the top figures in the long-running FIFA corruption scandals has left his post – even though for all intents and purposes he could no longer do anything with it.
According to the Metro, French football legend Michel Platini has resigned as UEFA President after having an eight-year FIFA ban reduced to four years.
Following the announcement, Platini would not acknowledge the charges against him, calling the ban a ‘profound injustice’ and pledging to contest his ban in court.
‘I take note of today’s decision from CAS but I see it as a profound injustice.
‘This decision inflicts a suspension on me that, as luck would have it, stops me from contesting the next election for the Fifa presidency.
‘As agreed with the national associations, I am resigning from my duties as Uefa president to pursue my battle in front of the Swiss courts to prove my innocence in this case
‘Life is always full of surprises: I am henceforth available to experience more of them’.
Platini along with ousted FIFA President Sepp Blatter were the key figures in a FIFA corruption scandal in relation to selling votes to secure FIFA World Cup bids. Platini was alleged to have taken money from Blatter, leading to bans for both of them.
Since Platini’s suspension as UEFA President, Angel Maria Villar has served as the acting president in his absence.
Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times with Juventus and led France to final-four finishes in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
SEE MORE:
HUGE injury blow to Man United could damage Champions League hopes
John Terry pleads with Chelsea to let him stay at Stamford Bridge
£60m All-Star duo sought by title-deprived Arsenal