Blatter, Platini acquitted of corruption charges again

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA chief Michel Platini have been acquitted for a second time by a Swiss appeals court concerning a controversial payment of two million Swiss francs made in 2011. The court upheld the 2022 acquittal, rejecting the prosecution's attempts to overturn it, which marked the end of a nearly decade-long legal saga. Both men have consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the payment was a delayed reward for Platini's advisory work. Following the acquittal, Platini's lawyers indicated plans to pursue legal action against the Swiss authorities for damages, citing a lack of incriminating evidence throughout the investigation. The case, which began amid a broader corruption scandal in football, has significantly impacted both Blatter's and Platini's careers. Despite their acquittals, the long shadow of the allegations continues to affect their reputations in the world of soccer.