Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been cleared once again in a Swiss court regarding corruption charges that have plagued them for nearly a decade. Following a hearing at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court in Muttenz on March 25, 2025, the verdict marks the second consecutive acquittal for the former FIFA president and UEFA chief, after they were initially cleared in July 2022.

The case centers on a 2 million Swiss franc payment made by FIFA to Platini in 2011 for consultancy work conducted between 1998 and 2002, a transaction that had drawn scrutiny from federal prosecutors. They alleged that the payment was fraudulent and had no legal basis, claiming it represented mismanagement and led to the unlawful enrichment of Platini.

In his statement, Platini declared, “This persecution by FIFA and certain Swiss federal prosecutors has now come to an end, completely finished,” emphasizing his relief at having his reputation restored. Blatter, at 89, expressed emotional relief after hearing the court's decision, stating, “Waiting for such a long time takes a toll on a person, and my family has been deeply affected.”

The 2025 hearing followed an appeal by the Swiss federal prosecutor's office against the initial acquittal, which had been based on the recognition of a “gentlemen’s agreement” for the deferred payment. The prosecutors had called for punitive measures, suggesting a suspended 20-month jail term for both defendants.

Both Blatter and Platini have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the lengthy legal saga, which began in 2015 when FIFA became ensnared in a major corruption scandal that forced Blatter to resign and curtailed Platini’s aspirations to lead the organization. Platini's lawyer, Dominic Nellen, reiterated the lack of incriminating evidence and expressed hope that the proceedings would finally conclude.

Despite the ruling, the Swiss attorney general's office has indicated it may seek further legal recourse by appealing the verdict to the Swiss Supreme Court, highlighting that the legal ordeal for both figures may not yet be over.

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