Michel Platini did the needful on Monday as he resigned as UEFA president after his appeal against a ban from football activities failed.
The former French National team captain said he was bowing out to pursue the case against him in regular courts to clear his name.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS rejected the appeal saying it was not convinced about the “legitimacy” of the payment ordered by ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter. However, it did reduce the ban from six to four years and lowered the fine from 80,000 Swiss francs ($80,000) to 60,000 Swiss francs.
“I note today’s decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport but I consider it a profound injustice,” Platini said in a statement. “This decision inflicts a suspension for which the length stops me, de facto, and by luck, from being a candidate in the next FIFA presidential election,” he added. “As agreed with the national associations, I resign as president of UEFA to pursue my fight before the Swiss courts to prove my probity in this case.
“Life has always kept beautiful surprises for me, now I am free to live them,” said the former French football star.
Platini has been UEFA president since 2007. This decision by CAS superimposes the end of his career as sport administrator. He was, before the scandal, being seen as a possible replacement for Sepp Blatter.
It also means that Platini will not play any role in the European Championship that starts in his home country, France in June – something he had looked forward to.
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