Platini slams 'masquerade' FIFA ban

Former UEFA President Michel Platini will go to court to fight a decision by FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee to ban him for eight years, describing his situation as "pure masquerade".

Michel Platini says he will fight FIFA's order to ban him for eight years. Reuters/Denis Balibouse

The Frenchman, 60, and suspended former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter, 79, were also fined in connection with a two million Swiss franc payment that football’s world governing body made to Platini four years ago.

Platini was due to stand for election as FIFA President in February. He intends to challenge this week’s ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport and could seek damages in civil proceedings.

"The decision is no surprise to me, the procedure initiated against me by FIFA’s ethics committee is pure masquerade. It has been rigged to tarnish my name by bodies I know well and who for me are lacking in credibility and legitimacy. I will fight this to the end."

Platini still has support from the French Football Federation, whose president Noel Le Graet expected a ban for the ex Les Bleus international.

"It seems unbelievable but it does not surprise me. The spokesman of the Ethics Commission [Andreas Bantel] had already announced that Michel would be suspended for several years.

He [Michel] will continue to fight. He has done great things for UEFA and I hope that his good faith will be recognised."