Lausanne (AFP)
Fifa announced Monday that it had seized Swiss justice to obtain the reimbursement of 2 million Swiss francs (1.84 M EUR) paid "unduly" by the ex-president of the instance Sepp Blatter to Michel Platini and who had earned the former captain of the Blues a four-year suspension.
The body thus follows a recommendation issued by its governance committee, resolution dated November 25 which AFP had revealed the existence Wednesday.
This body recommended to jointly prosecute the former president of Fifa Sepp Blatter and the former vice-president Michel Platini "to obtain the reimbursement of the money paid illegally", by the first to the second.
Fifa, which had to do so before December 31, said it had launched proceedings "before the competent Swiss courts" against MM. Blatter and Platini, for "the return of the 2 M CHF paid unduly to Mr. Platini in February 2011".
"Even the Swiss Federal Court", which had confirmed the suspension of 4 years of Mr. Platini, "confirmed that this gift of 2 M CHF should be considered as + undue payment +", added Fifa in its press release.
"If and when these funds are recovered, along with interest, they will be used for the development of football, where this money should have gone originally," added Fifa.
Questioned on Friday by AFP, the Geneva lawyer of Mr. Platini, Vincent Solari, had judged the claims of Fifa "totally unfounded", saying that the approach is "harassment".
For Sepp Blatter, contacted by phone by AFP, "this is a settled case, I do not see how Fifa can take legal action".
Following this payment of CHF 2 million, Mr. Blatter was suspended for 6 years and Mr. Platini 4 years.
If the suspension of Platini, which had prevented him from seeking the successor of Blatter, is completed since October, that targeting the former boss of world football continues.
This payment had also led to the opening by the Swiss courts of criminal proceedings for "unfair payment" against Mr. Blatter and in which Platini had the status of assisted witness.
© 2019 AFP