FIFA Recognizes CAS 4-Year Suspension of Platini From Football Activity

FIFA has acknowledged the decision rendered today by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case involving Michel Platini, which has partially maintained the decision taken by the FIFA Appeal Committee on 24 February 2016, according to the FIFA's press service.

SOCHI (Sputnik) — The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has acknowledged the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to suspend former UEFA President Michel Platini from any football-related activity for four years, the FIFA's press service said Monday.

Earlier in the day, the CAS reduced Platini's suspension period from six to four years. Following the announcement, Platini said he would resign as he failed to overturn his ban.

"FIFA has acknowledged the decision rendered today by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case involving Michel Platini, which has partially maintained the decision taken by the FIFA Appeal Committee on 24 February 2016. In particular, by lowering the sanction from six to four years and the CHF 80,000 [$82,000] fine to CHF 60,000 [$62,000]," the press service said in a statement obtained by R-Sport.

Platini and former FIFA President Joseph Blatter were both handed 8-year suspensions last December for their role in a major FIFA corruption scandal. It erupted after Swiss authorities opened a criminal case against Blatter in September over a payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.03 million at current exchange rates) that he made to Platini. However, later the ban was reduced to six years.