The problems for Sepp Blatter, chairman of the International Football Association (Fifa) 1998-2015, began when he was to speak for his cause in the courtroom in Bellinzona, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

-I do not feel good.

The pain is back and I have trouble breathing.

I do not think I can do this now, whispered 86-year-old Blatter, who has had health problems in recent years.

The next day, however, Blatter was in better spirits.

- I feel much better, thank you, he said when the second day of the trial began.

"Gentlemen's agreement"

Sepp Blatter and the former major player Michel Platini, who was chairman of the European Football Association (UEFA) 2007–2015, are accused of having falsified invoices to the latter to a value of two million Swiss francs, equivalent to 21 million kronor.

The money was paid, with Blatter's approval, to Platini with reference to consulting services for Fifa in the years 1998-2002.

The tangle was revived in 2015, and only now - after a seven-year investigation - has the duo been brought to justice.

Both Blatter and Platini, 66, have consistently denied that they did anything wrong and claim that they had a verbal agreement that Platini would be paid for his work as an adviser to Blatter.

- In our oral contact, we did not decide what date he would receive it (payment), it was a "gentlemen's agreement", and we started working together immediately, Blatter said when he was questioned in court.

"They tricked me"

Platini adhered to the same statement - claiming that he would rather have been paid more, but that he miscalculated the difference between the amount he was promised and his salary during the four years he was an adviser.

-I made a mistake.

I was convinced that the salary was 500,000 Swiss francs (equivalent to 5 million kronor) and realized this when the prosecutors showed me the contract.

But Fifa knew they were cheating on me, Plaitini said in court.

Platini was then asked why he waited until 2011 to point out to Fifa that he had not received the money the organization owed him.

- I have principles.

If someone owes me money, I will not ask where the money is, said Platini.

Should the former football bosses be convicted, they risk up to five years in prison, but it is likely that a conviction will be a suspended sentence.

CLIP: That's why Blatter and Platini are being prosecuted

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That is why Blatter and Platini are being prosecuted Photo: Bildbyrån