Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini could face long bans
Tuesday 17 November 2015 11:22, UK
FIFA president Sepp Blatter and the head of UEFA Michel Platini could face long bans from football by the end of the year, sources close to FIFA prosecutors have told Sky Sports News HQ.
The pair are being investigated by world football's Ethics Committee following an undeclared "disloyal" payment of £1.35m in 2011 for consultancy work carried out by Platini on Blatter's behalf nine years earlier.
The body handing Blatter and Platini's case are keen to have proceedings wrapped by Christmas, with sources admitting they face "multi-year" suspensions, likely to be at least five years, if found guilty.
The pair are currently appealing their 90-day provisional bans, with a decision from FIFA's Appeals Committee expected by the end of the week.
The case will then be handed over to Hans-Joachim Eckert, the German judge heading up the Ethics Committee enquiry.
Sky Sports News HQ understands that disciplinary hearing will have a similar format to a trial, with the charges against the pair set out before the prosecution and defence make their cases. The panel will then reach a decision.
Blatter recently spent a spell in a Swiss hospital while recovering from stress. Even if the 79-year old is not fit enough to contribute fully to the proceedings in person the Ethics Committee is confident of reaching a decision by Christmas, according to Sky sources.
Blatter and Platini could take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne if found guilty, with sources hoping any appeal will be completed before the FIFA presidential election on February 26.
