Blatter and Platini acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA

A Swiss criminal court on Friday acquitted Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini of accusations of defrauding FIFA, a rare victory for the duo who were among soccer’s most influential officials before getting implicated in corruption probes.

As part of an investigation into Platini’s 2011 payment of $2 million to FIFA, the issue revolved around Blatter’s acceptance of the payment in 2011. The Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland in Bellinzona heard the case for 11 days last month before rendering its decision.

Said 86-year-old Blatter, “First of all, I have to declare that I am a very happy man.” Because of the way the court assessed the matter and stated why both of us hadn’t done anything, I’m a happy guy. I want to thank the court today as well as this city and the people in it.

Both Blatter and Platini’s 20-month suspended sentences had been sought by Swiss prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand. Instead, both were found not guilty and granted an amount for trial expenses, with Blatter receiving $20,500 in damages for moral wrongdoing, according to the court.

While the judgement was read, Blatter and Platini sat calmly at different tables with their counsel. At this point, the tiny public audience exploded into applause, following a brief chat and an exchange of wry looks between the two guys.