Joseph S. Blatter · sports governance · criminal prosecution · fraud
Were Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini convicted over the CHF 2 million FIFA payment?
No. Both men were acquitted at first instance by the Swiss Federal Criminal Court on 8 July 2022 and again on appeal by its Extraordinary Appeals Chamber on 25 March 2025, on the principle of in dubio pro reo. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland decided not to challenge the appeal judgment, and the acquittals became final in August 2025. Both men have consistently denied wrongdoing.
Last verified 30 October 2026. Switzerland · Also concerns Michel François Platini
The record at a glance
| What was alleged? | The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland alleged that Blatter and Platini deceived FIFA staff in 2010 and 2011 about an obligation for FIFA to pay Platini CHF 2 million for advisory work. It charged Blatter with fraud, alternatively misappropriation, in the further alternative criminal mismanagement, and with forgery of a document. It charged Platini with fraud, alternatively complicity in misappropriation or in criminal mismanagement, and with forgery of a document.1,2 |
|---|---|
| Who made the claim? | Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (Bundesanwaltschaft), 3 March 2025 |
| How did Sepp Blatter respond? | Both men denied wrongdoing. Their position was that the payment was a late fee for earlier consulting work agreed orally between them, described in the proceedings as a gentlemen's agreement. After the 2025 appeal verdict Platini said his honour had been restored.1,3,4 (the subject's position) |
| Was there an official finding? | Blatter and Platini were acquitted at first instance in July 2022 and on appeal in March 2025.2,5,7 The acquittals are final after the OAG decided not to pursue a further challenge in August 2025.4,8 |
| Was liability determined? | No. The subject was acquitted. Acquitted at first instance and on appeal on the principle of in dubio pro reo. The acquittals are legally binding.2,4,8 |
| What changed later? | As of 30 October 2026, the acquittals of Blatter and Platini are final and the criminal case is closed.4,8 |
| When was this checked? | 30 October 2026 |
What was alleged?
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland alleged that Blatter and Platini deceived FIFA staff in 2010 and 2011 about an obligation for FIFA to pay Platini CHF 2 million for advisory work. It charged Blatter with fraud, alternatively misappropriation, in the further alternative criminal mismanagement, and with forgery of a document. It charged Platini with fraud, alternatively complicity in misappropriation or in criminal mismanagement, and with forgery of a document.1,2
Made by Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (Bundesanwaltschaft) on 3 March 2025.
What did Sepp Blatter say?
Both men denied wrongdoing. Their position was that the payment was a late fee for earlier consulting work agreed orally between them, described in the proceedings as a gentlemen's agreement. After the 2025 appeal verdict Platini said his honour had been restored.1,3,4
"Today my honour is restored, and I'm very happy."
Michel Platini (as reported by The National), 25 March 2025. This is the subject's own account, not a finding.
What do independent records show?
First instance judgment SK.2021.48 (presiding judge Josephine Contu Albrizio), pronounced orally on 8 July 2022, written reasons served 28 September 2022
Federal Criminal Court, Criminal Chamber (case SK.2021.48), 8 July 2022
The court acquitted both men on the main charges and discontinued proceedings on the basic offence of criminal mismanagement because it was time-barred. It found an oral agreement between them could not reasonably be ruled out and decided in their favour on the principle of in dubio pro reo.2,5,6
Appeal judgment
Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court, sitting in Muttenz (case CA.2022.25), 25 March 2025
The appeals chamber acquitted both men again on the principle of in dubio pro reo. It could not rule out their account and so could not find an intent to enrich or a criminal loss to FIFA, as reported by SRF.2,7
Decision not to challenge the appeal judgment (as reported)
Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, 28 August 2025
The OAG accepted the appeal judgment, which made the acquittals final. It said this closed another chapter in its football investigations.4,7,8
What was established?
- Blatter and Platini were acquitted at first instance in July 2022 and on appeal in March 2025.2,5,7
- The acquittals are final after the OAG decided not to pursue a further challenge in August 2025.4,8
Distinctions that matter here
- An acquittal on the principle of in dubio pro reo means the court had doubts it could not resolve against the accused. It is a full acquittal in law.
- FIFA ethics bans are disciplinary sanctions by a sports body, not criminal convictions.
Was liability determined?
No. The subject was acquitted. Acquitted at first instance and on appeal on the principle of in dubio pro reo. The acquittals are legally binding.2,4,8
What remains unresolved?
- FIFA ethics sanctions against both men from 2015 are a separate disciplinary matter and were not researched for this entry.
What is the current status?
As of 30 October 2026, the acquittals of Blatter and Platini are final and the criminal case is closed.4,8
As of 30 October 2026. No next proceeding is scheduled in the records we found.
Timeline
- Federal Criminal Court acquits Blatter and Platini.5,6
- Appeal trial opens in Muttenz.1
- Extraordinary Appeals Chamber acquits both men again.2,3
- OAG waives a further challenge and the acquittals become final.7,8
Sources
- Swissinfo, Blatter, Platini return to court for new fraud trial over CHF2 million FIFA payment, 3 March 2025 Independent reporting
- Bundesstrafgericht (via entscheidsuche.ch), Judgment CA.2022.25 of the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court, 25 March 2025 · document record Court, legislation, official register or regulator record
- The National, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini cleared in long-running football corruption case, 25 March 2025 Independent reporting
- beck-aktuell, Freispruch für Blatter und Platini rechtskräftig, 28 August 2025 Independent reporting
- Bundesstrafgericht (via entscheidsuche.ch), Judgment SK.2021.48 of the Criminal Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court (Bundesanwaltschaft v. Blatter and Platini), 8 July 2022 · document record Court, legislation, official register or regulator record
- plattformj.ch, Bundesstrafgericht spricht Blatter und Platini frei (Blatter/Platini-Prozess, 8. Juli 2022), 8 July 2022 Independent reporting
- SRF, FIFA-Prozess: Verzicht auf Beschwerde gegen Freispruch für Blatter und Platini, 28 August 2025 Independent reporting
- blue News, Waiver of appeal against acquittal for Blatter and Platini, 28 August 2025 Independent reporting
Revision history
- 30 October 2026: First published after source verification.
Related: Joseph S. Blatter, sports governance, criminal prosecution, fraud, Switzerland. To submit a document or request a correction, see right of reply.