The crisp, clean alpine air of Switzerland was meant to be a sanctuary for Michel Platini, a place where his celebrated playing career could transition seamlessly into a powerful administrative legacy. For years, as he ascended through the ranks of UEFA to its presidency, the French footballing icon was seen as the heir apparent to FIFA’s top job, poised to lead the global game. But in 2015, that trajectory shattered with the abrupt force of a rogue tackle, sending him spiraling into a maelstrom of criminal accusations and public ignominy.
At the heart of the scandal was a two million Swiss Franc payment, approximately €1.8 million at the time, made to Platini by FIFA in 2011, personally sanctioned by then-President Sepp Blatter. This transaction, ostensibly for advisory work Platini carried out between 1998 and 2002, became the poisoned chalice that derailed his ambitions, turning a potential coronation into a legal battle. It cast him as a central figure in the sweeping Michel Platini corruption case, which for years painted him with the same brush as the deeply entrenched malfeasance plaguing global football. His story, however, unlike many others caught in the FIFA corruption dragnet, ultimately concluded with a resounding acquittal, offering a unique lens through which to examine the often-blurry lines between poor governance, ethical lapses, and outright criminality within sports organizations. Platini’s journey from revered legend to accused pariah and then finally to vindicated administrator provides a compelling, if cautionary, tale for anyone concerned with football governance and sports organization ethics.
Legendary playing career
Long before the shadow of scandal touched his name, Michel Platini was simply Le Roi, “The King,” a magician on the pitch whose elegance, vision, and extraordinary goal-scoring ability captivated a generation. His playing career was a symphony of skill and success, etching his name into the pantheon of football’s all-time greats. He began his professional journey with AS Nancy-Lorraine in 1972, swiftly distinguishing himself as a prodigious talent who could dictate play and conjure goals out of thin air, famously leading the club to their first major trophy, the Coupe de France, in 1978.
A move to Saint-Étienne in 1979 brought further domestic glory, securing his sole French Division 1 title in 1981, but it was his transfer to Juventus in 1982 that truly globalized his superstardom. In Turin, Platini became an icon, a maestro orchestrating the Old Lady’s mid-1980s dominance. He lifted two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, the European Cup Winners’ Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and, most poignantly, the European Cup in 1985, a triumph overshadowed by the Heysel Stadium disaster. His individual brilliance shone brightest during this period, as he astonishingly claimed the coveted Ballon d’Or three times in succession, from 1983 to 1985, a testament to his consistent, unparalleled excellence.
Internationally, Platini was the undisputed talisman of the French national team. He masterminded France’s glorious UEFA European Championship victory on home soil in 1984, where he delivered one of the most dominant individual tournament performances ever seen, netting a record nine goals in just five matches, including two hat-tricks. His participation in three FIFA World Cups (1978, 1982, 1986) saw France reach the semi-finals twice, dazzling fans with their Carre Magique (Magic Square) midfield. By the time he retired prematurely in 1987 at the age of 32, he was France’s all-time leading scorer, a record later surpassed but never diminishing the profound impact of his playmaking genius, sublime free-kicks, and clinical finishing. His legacy as a player remains unimpeachable, a beacon of sporting artistry untouched by later controversies.
Rise in football administration
Retiring from the pitch at a relatively young age, Platini quickly transitioned from the green turf to the mahogany tables of football administration, steadily climbing a new ladder of power. His first foray into this new arena saw him take the reins of the French national team as manager from 1988 to 1992, guiding them to Euro 1992 before stepping down. However, it was in the backrooms of organizational leadership that Platini truly began to carve out his second act. He played a pivotal role in the successful staging of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, co-presiding over the Organising Committee, an experience that immersed him deep into the intricate political and operational machinery of international football.
By 1999, his influence was undeniable, earning him a seat on the UEFA Executive Committee, swiftly followed by election to the FIFA Executive Committee in 2002. These appointments placed him at the very epicentre of global football governance, where his reputation as a formidable player gave him an undeniable gravitas. The peak of his administrative career arrived in January 2007 when he successfully challenged the incumbent Lennart Johansson to become UEFA President. His platform was built on the promise of returning football “back to football,” emphasizing integrity and prioritizing the sport over commercial excess.
During his tenure at UEFA, Platini championed several transformative initiatives. Chief among them was the introduction of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations in 2009, a landmark policy designed to curb unsustainable spending by clubs and foster long-term financial stability across European leagues. He also oversaw the expansion of the UEFA European Championship to 24 teams, a move that promised greater inclusivity for smaller nations from Euro 2016 onwards. Despite his initial resistance to goal-line technology, a stance he later moderated, Platini emerged as one of the most powerful figures in world sport, frequently spoken of as the natural successor to Sepp Blatter as FIFA President. His trajectory seemed unstoppable, positioning him perfectly to inherit the mantle of global football leadership.
The arrest and accusations
The inexorable ascent of Michel Platini within football’s power corridors came to an abrupt, jarring halt in 2015. The moment arrived not with a whimper, but with the sudden, seismic jolt of criminal investigation. At the core of the allegations that would forever redefine his legacy was a sum of two million Swiss Francs—approximately £1.35 million or €1.8 million at the time—paid to Platini by FIFA in 2011. This payment, Blatter insisted, was for advisory work Platini had performed as a special consultant between 1998 and 2002.
The significant points of contention, which immediately raised red flags for investigators, were twofold: the payment was made a staggering nine years after the alleged work had concluded, and, crucially, it was purportedly based solely on a verbal agreement, utterly lacking any formal written contract. The lack of documented evidence for such a substantial transaction, combined with the considerable delay, fueled intense scrutiny, placing it directly under the microscope of prosecutors already sifting through a broader landscape of alleged FIFA corruption.
In September 2015, Swiss authorities opened criminal proceedings against Sepp Blatter for suspected criminal mismanagement and misappropriation, and Platini found himself ensnared in the dragnet. He was questioned, his status shifting from a key witness to a person under suspicion, igniting a firestorm that engulfed his presidential aspirations. Swiftly following the investigation, FIFA’s internal ethics committee, a body struggling to assert its independence amid the swirling scandals, suspended both Blatter and Platini. By December 2015, the hammer fell: both were banned from all football-related activities for eight years, citing conflict of interest and disloyalty. This ban, later reduced to six years by FIFA’s Appeal Committee and then to four by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), proved fatal to Platini’s bid for the FIFA presidency. FIFA’s ethics committee declared that Platini had “failed to act with complete credibility and integrity” and that the payment lacked a “legal basis,” echoing the widespread suspicion that anything less than pristine financial documentation must signify wrongdoing in an environment rife with illicit dealings. Platini vehemently maintained his innocence throughout, decrying the accusations as a “plot” orchestrated to prevent him from taking the helm of FIFA, laying the groundwork for what he would later claim were fundamentally unjust accusations.
Trial details and evidence
The tumultuous journey through FIFA’s internal disciplinary channels was only the prelude to a more rigorous confrontation with the Swiss justice system. In November 2021, after years of investigation, Swiss federal prosecutors formally brought charges against both Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter, marking a critical escalation in the Michel Platini corruption case. Platini faced accusations of fraud, participation in criminal mismanagement, misappropriation, and forgery of documents, while Blatter contended with charges of fraud, criminal mismanagement, and forgery. The stakes were immensely high, promising a definitive legal judgment on the long-debated legitimacy of the two million Swiss Franc payment.
Throughout the criminal trial, both Platini and Blatter presented a unified and consistent defence: the payment was neither fraudulent nor illicit, but rather a legitimate settlement of an outstanding debt for Platini’s advisory work performed between 1998 and 2002. Their argument hinged on the existence of a verbal agreement struck at the outset of Platini’s consultancy. Blatter testified that Platini had initially requested an annual salary of one million Swiss Francs for his services. However, due to FIFA’s precarious financial situation in the late 1990s, only 300,000 Swiss Francs per year could be paid upfront, with the remaining 700,000 Swiss Francs per year explicitly deferred, accumulating to the disputed two million Swiss Francs over the four-year period.
Key evidence presented revolved around the credibility of this verbal agreement. The defence argued that while the lack of a written contract was undeniably poor administrative practice, it did not equate to criminal intent or fraudulent concealment. Platini’s submission of an invoice in 2011, which FIFA then approved and paid, was presented as a straightforward action to settle a long-standing, legitimate debt, rather than a surreptitious transaction. Witnesses, including former FIFA officials, were called to corroborate the informal nature of agreements within FIFA during that era and the financial context that necessitated deferred payments. The prosecution, conversely, vigorously contended that the delay and the absence of written documentation inherently bespoke a fraudulent arrangement, seeking suspended prison sentences for both men. From a legal analyst’s perspective, this trial perfectly encapsulated the distinction between a perceived ethical breach or lack of governance formality, and the far higher bar of proving criminal fraud, which demands irrefutable evidence of malicious intent to deceive or gain illicitly. The protracted legal scrutiny aimed to determine precisely where Platini’s actions truly fell on that spectrum, weighing informal practice against criminal design, defining the very essence of the unjust accusations he claimed.
FIFA and UEFA corruption background
The swirling accusations against Michel Platini did not emerge in isolation; they were but one facet of a colossal, sprawling scandal that had already begun to expose the deep-seated rot within the highest echelons of global football governance. The year 2015, particularly, marked a watershed moment known as “FIFAgate,” when U.S. federal prosecutors unveiled a staggering indictment of numerous FIFA officials and sports marketing executives. This indictment alleged a pervasive, decades-long scheme of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering, implicating illicit payments totalling hundreds of millions of dollars tied to World Cup bids and media rights. The dramatic arrests of seven FIFA officials in Zurich, just days before Sepp Blatter‘s re-election for a fifth term, ripped open the veil of secrecy, eventually leading to Blatter’s resignation under immense pressure.
Blatter, who had presided over FIFA since 1998, found himself at the epicenter of the storm. While not among those initially indicted by the U.S., his long and controversial tenure was synonymous with allegations of cronyism, opacity, and questionable financial dealings. The two million Swiss Franc payment to Platini, therefore, became intrinsically linked to the broader investigation into Blatter’s conduct, seen by many as another potential thread in a vast tapestry of corruption. The payment was not simply a financial transaction between two individuals; it was scrutinized within the chilling context of an organization seemingly designed for patronage and illicit self-enrichment.
Beyond the financial fraud, the integrity of the game’s crown jewel, the FIFA World Cup, was also severely compromised. The bidding processes for the 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar) tournaments were marred by credible allegations of bribery and vote-buying. Despite an internal FIFA investigation, the Garcia Report, being commissioned, its partial release only intensified criticisms regarding FIFA’s lack of transparency. Platini himself faced scrutiny over his vote for Qatar’s 2022 bid, with allegations suggesting pressure from then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy, though Platini steadfastly denied any wrongdoing connected to his decision.
While FIFA bore the brunt of the scandal, UEFA, as its influential European confederation, found its reputation tarnished by association, particularly through its leadership’s close ties to the global body. Platini, despite championing reforms like Financial Fair Play, found his own legacy inextricably tied to the pervasive atmosphere of FIFA corruption. This broader context is crucial for understanding the “unjust accusations” angle: in a climate where illicit payments and backroom deals were seemingly endemic, any financial transaction lacking formal documentation, no matter its actual intent, was immediately viewed with extreme suspicion. This widespread malfeasance created an environment where even a legitimate, albeit poorly documented, payment could be easily conflated with criminal acts, amplifying scrutiny and contributing significantly to Platini’s downfall.
Corruption in other sports organizations
The distressing revelations of the Michel Platini corruption case and the broader FIFAgate scandal, while shocking in their scale, are unfortunately not unique to the world of football. Corruption has proven to be a persistent and insidious malaise afflicting numerous other international sports organization ethics, revealing systemic frailties in governance, financial oversight, and ethical conduct across the entire sporting landscape. These patterns highlight a disturbing commonality: wherever immense power, vast financial flows, and opaque decision-making converge, the specter of malfeasance often follows.
One of the most infamous instances beyond football unfolded within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the Salt Lake City bid scandal of 1999. It exposed a widespread practice of bid committees offering cash, lavish gifts, and other favours to IOC members to secure hosting rights for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The fallout was immense, leading to the expulsion of several IOC members and triggering significant governance reforms, including a ban on members visiting bid cities. Yet, despite these changes, concerns about vote-buying and influence peddling continue to occasionally resurface, underscoring the ongoing battle against entrenched interests.
Athletics, the very essence of fair competition, was similarly rocked by the scandal involving the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now World Athletics, under its former president Lamine Diack. Investigations uncovered a “mafia-style” operation involving systemic doping cover-ups and the bribery of officials to protect Russian athletes who had tested positive. Diack was ultimately convicted in France for corruption, breach of trust, and money laundering, receiving a prison sentence that underscored the gravity of the institutionalized deceit. This scandal dealt a devastating blow to the credibility of a sport built on individual achievement and integrity.
Even cycling, already wrestling with doping controversies, faced its own governance crisis. The revelations surrounding Lance Armstrong’s doping and the subsequent cover-ups within the International Cycling Union (UCI) suggested complicity and a failure to rigorously investigate, with allegations that the UCI accepted donations from Armstrong. While primarily a doping scandal, it undeniably raised serious questions about conflicts of interest and governance failings at the highest level of the sport. The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi also succumbed to extensive corruption allegations, involving inflated contracts and financial irregularities, leading to arrests and investigations in India.
These diverse cases illuminate common threads: a pervasive lack of independent oversight, allowing power to become concentrated in the hands of long-serving executives; vast financial flows from media rights, sponsorships, and hosting bids creating irresistible temptations for illicit activities; and, critically, opaque decision-making processes paired with weak internal ethics and compliance regimes. The repeated failures across various sports underscore the urgent need for universal, robust prevention mechanisms to protect the integrity of sports organizations worldwide.
The exoneration verdict
After years spent battling a public narrative of corruption and navigating the complex labyrinth of legal proceedings, Michel Platini finally received a moment of profound vindication in July 2022. On the 8th of that month, the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland, delivered a verdict that fundamentally reshaped the discourse around the Michel Platini corruption case, acquitting both Platini and Sepp Blatter of charges of fraud and forgery. This landmark decision declared them not guilty of illegal payment, affirming the legitimacy of the two million Swiss Franc transaction that had once symbolized his downfall.
The court’s reasoning was meticulously clear, critically aligning with the defence’s long-standing argument. It formally accepted that a valid verbal agreement had indeed existed between Blatter and Platini for the payment, effectively debunking the prosecution’s central premise that the transaction was fraudulently conceived. Furthermore, the court emphasized that the payment had been “invoiced, approved, and paid” as a legitimate outstanding debt for work Platini had performed for FIFA, rather than a covert or illicit exchange. Crucially, the judges found insufficient evidence to prove any criminal intent – the cornerstone of fraud or forgery – on the part of either Platini or Blatter. This distinction between a legitimate, albeit informally arranged, payment and a criminally fraudulent one was pivotal.
For Platini, the verdict was nothing short of a victory, a hard-won affirmation of his innocence after an arduous, career-ending ordeal. He publicly expressed immense relief and profound satisfaction that “the truth has come to light,” finally clearing his name from the most damaging criminal accusations. This acquittal directly and powerfully buttresses the “unjust accusations” angle of his story. It highlights a stark and significant discrepancy between the initial findings of FIFA’s internal ethics committee – which had banned him based on perceived conflicts of interest and a lack of written contracts – and the far higher evidential standards demanded and applied by an independent criminal court. The fact that an independent judicial body cleared him of criminal wrongdoing strongly suggests that his initial removal from football power, while perhaps justified by internal football governance regulations concerning transparency and due process, was an overreach from a criminal standpoint. It implicitly raises serious questions about the fairness, thoroughness, and political influences possibly at play within FIFA’s internal justice system, particularly when it resulted in such severe, career-ending sanctions without the same burden of proof required in a court of law.
This exoneration was a monumental legal victory, but the legal saga was not entirely concluded. The Swiss public prosecutor’s office, standing by its initial assessment, subsequently announced its intention to appeal the verdict to the Federal Court. This indicated that while Platini had won a crucial battle, the war for his reputation in the eyes of some legal bodies might still have another chapter.
Prevention mechanisms
The sweeping scale of corruption uncovered across football and other international sports organizations has served as an urgent and undeniable call for the implementation of robust, comprehensive prevention mechanisms. The aim is not merely to react to scandals but to proactively safeguard integrity and cultivate truly ethical sports organization ethics within the opaque realms of global sport. The Michel Platini corruption case, particularly, offers pointed lessons on the perils of informal agreements and insufficient documentation, even if devoid of criminal intent.
At the forefront of these necessary reforms is the imperative for enhanced financial transparency and independent auditing. Sports bodies must move towards publicly disclosing all significant financial transactions, including executive salaries, details of major sponsorship deals, and the full financial breakdowns of bids for major events like the FIFA World Cup. This transparency needs to be underpinned by regular, independent external audits employing forensic accounting techniques to meticulously identify irregularities, potential conflicts of interest, and any unusual payment patterns. Crucially, powerful and clearly enforced whistleblower protection programs are essential. Many high-profile corruption cases have come to light through courageous insiders, and their ability to report misconduct without fear of retaliation is a linchpin of effective oversight.
Furthermore, strengthening governance structures is paramount. This involves mandating a significant proportion of truly independent members on boards and executive committees, individuals free from long-standing ties or vested interests in the organization. The implementation of strict term limits for executive positions is another vital measure, designed to prevent the accumulation of excessive power, which often breeds a culture of impunity and makes organizations vulnerable to abuse, as seen in the long tenures of figures like Sepp Blatter. A clear separation of powers—between the executive, legislative, and independent judicial (ethics) functions—is also critical to prevent conflicts of interest and undue influence.
Robust ethics and compliance frameworks are not just theoretical constructs but practical necessities. This means developing and rigorously enforcing a comprehensive code of ethics applicable to all stakeholders, coupled with mandatory, regular ethics and compliance training. Critically, establishing genuinely independent ethics committees with autonomous investigative and adjudicatory powers, insulated from political interference by the organization’s leadership, is a non-negotiable step. These committees must possess adequate resources, legal expertise, and the authority to act decisively.
Finally, the integrity of bidding processes for major events demands absolute transparency, with clear criteria, public disclosure of all proposals, and independent oversight of voting. Reducing the discretion of individual voters and auditing bid committees’ finances can help prevent illicit payments and influence peddling. For Platini’s case specifically, it underscores the need for mandating written contracts for all financial agreements, regardless of the individuals involved or the perceived level of trust. While the criminal court acquitted him based on intent, the absence of such a contract was a major factor in his initial ban and protracted legal battles. Embracing these prevention mechanisms is not merely about avoiding future scandals, but about restoring and maintaining faith in the very integrity of global sport, a core tenet of good football governance.
Platini’s future and legacy
Michel Platini’s future in the complex and often unforgiving world of football administration remains a subject of intense speculation and debate. While the resounding acquittal in the Swiss criminal court undeniably removed the gravest stigma of criminal fraud and forgery, it cannot erase the nearly decade-long shadow of suspicion that profoundly impacted his career and public image. The verdict was, for Platini, a crucial moment of personal vindication, allowing him to reclaim a narrative of having been subjected to unjust accusations that prematurely terminated his ascendancy.
His four-year ban from football activities, imposed by FIFA’s ethics committee and upheld by CAS, formally concluded in October 2019. This means, technically, he is once again eligible to participate in the sport. Platini’s public statements following his acquittal hinted at a desire to “turn the page” and potentially consider future involvement, perhaps in a less prominent capacity or a role focused on the technical aspects of the game. However, the path back is fraught with significant challenges.
The reputational damage inflicted by years of relentless accusations and the very fact of a high-profile internal ban, even if not sustained criminally, has left an indelible mark. Rebuilding trust among football stakeholders, national associations, and the broader football public would require immense effort and strategic positioning. Moreover, the landscape of football governance has shifted dramatically since his forced departure. New leaders and power brokers have emerged, solidifying their positions in the void left by his and Sepp Blatter‘s exits. Platini, now in his late 60s, would also need to weigh his personal motivation to re-enter such a politically charged and often bruising environment after such a public ordeal.
Ultimately, Platini’s legacy will forever exist in two distinct, yet interconnected, dimensions. His playing career remains universally revered and unsullied; he is unequivocally one of the greatest footballers of all time. His administrative legacy, however, is far more intricate. On one hand, he championed progressive initiatives like Financial Fair Play, undeniably leaving a positive mark on club stability. On the other, the circumstances of his abrupt exit from UEFA and FIFA leadership, inextricably linked to the broader FIFA corruption scandals and the Michel Platini corruption case, will always form part of his story. His journey, from powerful administrator to accused and then acquitted, offers a compelling, if complex, case study for football historians and legal analysts delving into the evolution of sports organization ethics and the challenges inherent in global football governance. It stands as a stark reminder of how even a legitimate, verbally agreed payment can become weaponized in a climate of suspicion, highlighting the critical need for absolute transparency and robust contractual clarity in all aspects of sports business.
FAQ Section
What was the central accusation against Michel Platini in his corruption case?
The case revolved around a payment of two million Swiss Francs (€1.8 million) Platini received from FIFA in 2011, personally authorized by then-President Sepp Blatter. Prosecutors questioned this payment because it was allegedly for advisory work Platini performed between 1998 and 2002, making the nine-year delay and the lack of a formal written contract highly suspicious.
Why did FIFA’s ethics committee ban Platini before his criminal acquittal?
FIFA’s internal ethics committee banned Platini for eight years (later reduced to four) due to “conflict of interest” and “disloyalty.” They found the payment “without legal basis” given the absence of a written contract and the significant delay, interpreting it as a breach of internal ethical regulations, rather than requiring proof of criminal intent.
What was Sepp Blatter’s role in the payment to Platini?
Sepp Blatter, as FIFA President, personally authorized the two million Swiss Franc payment to Platini. Blatter consistently maintained that the payment was for legitimate advisory work Platini performed for him and that a verbal agreement for the amount existed, with portions deferred due to FIFA’s financial constraints at the time.
What was the court’s main reason for clearing Platini of criminal charges?
The Swiss Federal Criminal Court acquitted Platini because it accepted the defence’s argument that a valid verbal agreement for the payment existed between him and Blatter. Crucially, the court found insufficient evidence to prove criminal intent (fraud or forgery), concluding that the payment, while informally arranged, was a legitimate settlement of an outstanding debt for work performed.
What broader implications does Platini’s exoneration have for football governance?
Platini’s acquittal highlights the distinction between breaches of internal football governance regulations (like lacking written contracts) and actual criminal wrongdoing. It emphasizes the need for absolute transparency and stringent contractual frameworks within sports organizations to prevent future ambiguities and potential unjust accusations, while also raising questions about the severity of internal disciplinary processes compared to criminal courts.
Sources & References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Platini
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/08/michel-platini-rise-fall-banned-administrator-fifa
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62100803
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35144365
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/24/michel-platini-sepp-blatter-fifa-appeal-bans-cut-six-years
- https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/michel-platini-calls-his-fifa-ban-a-plot-after-appeal-is-rejected-a6900116.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/02/michel-platini-sepp-blatter-charged-with-fraud-by-swiss-prosecutors
- https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/platini-blatter-cleared-fraud-swiss-court-2022-07-08/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_FIFA_corruption_case
- https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-in-switzerland.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepp_Blatter
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_bidding_controversy
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/18/michel-platini-arrested-over-qatar-world-cup-bid
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Winter_Olympics_bid_scandal
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamine_Diack
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/sep/16/lamine-diack-jailed-for-corruption-in-russian-doping-scandal
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/oct/27/uci-corruption-lance-armstrong-affair
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-10850235
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/08/michel-platini-and-sepp-blatter-acquitted-of-fraud-charges
- https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/swiss-prosecutors-appeal-blatter-platini-acquittals-2022-07-14/
- https://www.transparency.org/en/corruption-in-sport
- https://www.playthegame.org/news/fifa-reform-proposals-a-review-of-recent-history/
- https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/corruption/safeguarding-sport-from-corruption.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/08/michel-platini-considers-return-to-football-after-fraud-acquittal
