BY TIM PARSONS
Fifa has provisionally suspended its president Sepp Blatter, secretary general Jerome Valcke and vice-president Michel Platini for 90 days.
Fifa’s president, Sepp Blatter, has been provisionally suspended for 90 days by Fifa’s ethics committee over corruption allegations. Secretary general, Jerome Valcke and vice president, Michel Platini, have also been suspended over the same allegations. Ex-Fifa vice-president Chung Mong-joon received a harsher punishment of a 6year ban. All three are banned from participating in any football activities whatsoever for the entire duration of the ban.
Issa Hayatoe- head of Africa’s football confederation (Caf), will replace Blatter as acting President. The ethic Committe have officially given their reasons of the ban stating ”the grounds for these decisions are the investigations that are being carried out by the investigatory chambers of the ethics Commitee”.
The reason given is poor , because investigation is not a good enough reason to impose bans on the professional careers of individuals, unless there are reasonable grounds to suspect foul play on the part of those suspended. Ironically, both Platini and Chung were hoping to displace Blatter when he steps down in February but that now looks very unlikely to happen. Platini was widely perceived as being a credible leader with the credentials and clout to take over from Blatter, but the suspension has now cast a dark shadow over his chances. In his defence, he will likely argue that the allegations have not been proven, and need to be proven. And as much as we believe there is no smoke without fire, this necessity of proof cannot be undermined. We know many of those at the higher echelons of the football governing body are corrupt, so I am not motivated to defend any of the accused. Blatter was President for far too long, and that for me is suspicious as it is. However, without evidence, Fifa may just have some other alterior motive for the suspensions and bans.
The logical deduction from the developments today is that the ethics Committee strongly believe those suspended are guilty of criminal conduct, and the suspension of these top dogs will go some way into contributing to the belief that Fifa
is determined to clean up its institution completely.
DISAPPOINTED
Blatter’s lawyers have issued a statement saying the president was disappointed that the ethics committee had not followed its own code in allowing him an opportunity to be heard, and claimed the suspension was based on “a misunderstanding of the actions of the attorney general in Switzerland”.
Ther statement added that “President Blatter looks forward to the opportunity to present evidence that will demonstrate that he did not engage in any misconduct, criminal or otherwise.”
Blatter stands accused of signing a contract “unfavourable” to Fifa and making a “disloyal payment” to Platini, who is also president of European football’s governing body – Uefa. However, in failing to give Blatter a chance to defend himself, the football Committee has fallen foul of what should effectively constitute the ‘due process’ of any investigation, just like the criminal justice system would require.
If Fifa feel they have full proof, they should be banning Blatter permanently, not just suspending him. The suspension of Platini relates to an inquiry over 2m euros, the equivalent of £1.35 paid 9 years after the 60 year old football kingpin carried out consultation work for Blatter. The payment made so many years after the consultation work raises suspicions, but again they have not afforded him a defence which still looks bad on Fifa. The suspensions may actually be well founded, but do not appear professional and honourable. Valcke is believed to have been involved in a dishonorable scheme to profit from World cup tickets.
SHAKE UP
The investigation into Blatter by Fifa commenced after criminal proceedings were opened against him by the Swiss attorney general following the arrest of 14 Fifa members earlier in the year for racketting and fraud charges. The shake up is good for Fifa and football in general, as it helps establish the useful principle that nobody is untouchable.However, there are still holes in the process followed.
