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FIFA ethics court bans Blatter, Platini for 8 years

FIFA President Sepp Blatter arrives in a car at the FIFA headquarters "Home of FIFA" in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday morning, Dec. 17, 2015. While FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter will appear in person on Thursday before the panel of four judges of the FIFA ethics court, UEFA President Michel Platini plans to boycott his hearing on Friday 18 December. Blatter and Platini were banned for 90 days for all activities in football. (Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP) FIFA President Sepp Blatter arrives in a car at the FIFA headquarters "Home of FIFA" in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday morning, Dec. 17, 2015. While FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter will appear in person on Thursday before the panel of four judges of the FIFA ethics court, UEFA President Michel Platini plans to boycott his hearing on Friday 18 December. Blatter and Platini were banned for 90 days for all activities in football. (Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP)

By Associated Press December 21, 2015 1 min read

ZURICH (AP) – FIFA’s ethics committee has banned Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini for eight years years from all soccer-related activities.

Platini’s bid to succeed Blatter as FIFA president in a Feb. 26 election is now likely ended.

Ethics judges ruled that Blatter broke FIFA Code of Ethics rules on conflicts of interest, breach of loyalty and offering gifts.

Platini broke rules on conflict of interest and loyalty.

Both denied wrongdoing in 2011 when Platini took $2 million of FIFA money approved by Blatter as uncontracted salary for work as a presidential adviser from 1999-2002.

Blatter and Platini previously said they would appeal against any sanctions.