Michel Platini Resigns as UEFA President

Platini’s lawyer announced the decision after a revised judgement by the CAS.

Earlier FIFA banned Platini for six years for ethics violation. (Photo: AP)

Michel Platini resigned from his role as the head of European soccer federation UEFA after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday reduced suspended UEFA President Michel Platini’s six-year ban from soccer for ethics violations to four years, saying the original punishment from FIFA was too severe.

The Frenchman, one of the finest players of his generation and also a former coach of his country’s national side, had said before the CAS’ verdict, that he recognised that his long, illustrious career in the game would be over if he lost an appeal over the ban.

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.

Michel Platini’s Statement

Platini was found guilty by the court for receiving a payment of £1.25m in 2011 from FIFA, which was approved by the former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.