June 17 – Former UEFA head Michel Platini will return to football administration, confirming that he will become the French representative on the board of world players’ union FIFPro.
“I always said I would come back where I could be useful,” said Platini in a statement. “I have also always said that football belongs to the players and the fans. I am coming back to my people, the players, so that their role is fully defended and recognised, and above all to build the future of this sport with them.”
Platini is due take up his post in November, reported AFP. The Frenchman exited the global game in disgrace in 2015 when he was ousted as president of European governing body UEFA and banned by global body FIFA over a payment of CHF2 million, which he had received from then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2011 without a written contract.
He was banned from all football-related activities for four years, but always vowed to make his comeback, claiming that he was the victim of “a plot”. The case is still being investigated by the Swiss judiciary for “disloyal management”, “breach of trust” and “swindling”.
His return to FIFPro is no coincidence. At the organisation, he enjoys the support of current president and Philippe Piat.
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