By Paul Nicholson
September 30 – Michel Platini has reacted swiftly to heightened speculation over the SFr2 million payment he received from FIFA in 2011, saying that it was settlement for work that he had completed in 2002, and that he still intends to stand for the FIFA presidency.
Last Friday the Swiss federal justice authorities announced that they were beginning a criminal investigation into FIFA president Sepp Blatter for what they described as a “disloyal payment ” made by FIFA to Platini.
Platini says he was questioned by the Swiss authorities, not as a suspect in a criminal investigation, but « only as a person providing information and I cooperated fully”. But this was subsequenty contradicted by the Swiss attorney general, Michael Lauber, who said: “We didn’t interview Mr Platini as a witness, that’s not true. We investigated against him in between as a witness and an accused person.” Lauber also said that he was prepared to search UEFA’s Swiss headquarters as part of the investigation.
As more detail emerged early this week that Platini had already received payment for his FIFA work between 1999 and 2002, new questions were raised as to whether he had been paid twice for the work and why the payment was made nine years after the work was completed.
Platini responded that the money was the final payment on his contract that had been delayed because FIFA’s financial position in 2002 meant the governing body could not afford to fulfill his full fee.
“Mr Blatter informed me when I started my role as his advisor that it was not initially possible to pay the totality of my salary because of FIFA’s financial situation at that time. I never doubted, however, that the remaining amount owed to me would be paid eventually, so I did not actively pursue it. I even put the matter to the side for a while, before finally requesting that the outstanding balance was paid in 2011,” said Platini.
As regards the delay in the payment, he said: “The outstanding amount for the work I did was paid when I finally requested it to FIFA. The fact that this payment was made a few months before the FIFA Presidential elections is irrelevant since I never had any plans of becoming a candidate. As a matter of fact, I was extremely happy to be re-elected as UEFA President at the UEFA congress in Paris in March of 2011.”
Platini explains that he was employed full time by FIFA as a special advisor to Blatter, working on various football matters, including the international football calendar.
FIFA’s Ethics committee is also looking into the payment and Platini says he contacted them on his own initiative on Monday “to tell them that I was at their full disposal to answer any question or to clarify any situation. I don’t fear a suspension because I have done nothing wrong.”
Speculation around anything to do with FIFA has reached fever pitch, with any indiscretion or even hint of indiscretion casting long shadows of rumour and doubt.
Platini said: “I have known for a long time that I would be the target of many unfounded attacks and I am conscious that these attacks will continue until the FIFA elections take place.
“I have to say, however, that I am disappointed with the speculation in some media, especially the one coming from a French Tabloid that talks about there being “doubt” around me. There is no doubt about my integrity. I have done nothing wrong. That is why I have made myself fully available to cooperate with the relevant bodies and authorities to clarify whatever may be necessary.”
Looking forward, he said: “I am still determined to present myself as a candidate for the FIFA Presidency so I can introduce the governance reforms that are necessary to restore the order and credibility to world football.
“I would also like to put football at the heart of FIFA once again and make sure that we continue to develop this beautiful sport around the planet.”
But first the Swiss legal authorities and FIFA’s Ethics Committee must be satisfied that Platini’s acceptance of FIFA’s payment was neither a criminal act or inappropriate.
It is somewhat ironic that in this decision Platini’s future is tied up with any decision taken on Blatter. If Blatter is cleared then so will be Platini. If Blatter ends up facing criminal prosecution then it is hard to see a scenario that doesn’t implicate Platini.
Ultimately it seems the final rulings will come down to what was in the employment contract between Platini and FIFA.
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