FIFA bans Platini and Blatter for 8 years

The move was made by the FIFA in connections with the proceedings against Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 [£.1.3m] transferred in February 2011 from Fifa to Platini.

A statement by the FIFA read, "The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans-Joachim Eckert has banned Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of Fifa, for eight years and Mr Michel Platini, Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of Fifa and President of Uefa, for eight years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately."

"The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 [£.1.3m] transferred in February 2011 from Fifa to Mr Platini. Mr Blatter, in his position as President of Fifa, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber," read the statement.

In addition to the bans,  Blatter has been fined £33,000 and Platini has been fined £53,000, with the latter no longer allowed to contest an election.