WORLD SPORTS: SEPP BLATTER & MICHEL PLATINI FOUND NOT GUILTY
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Michel Platini have both been found not guilty following their fraud trial in Switzerland. The pair stood trial over a payment of 2million Swiss francs made by Blatter to Platini in 2011. Both men had denied wrongdoing and said the transfer was belated payment for Platini's advisory work for FIFA. On his arrival at the court on Friday, Blatter said: “I am not innocent in my life but in this case I am innocent.” Blatter 86 and former UEFA president Platini 67, were banned from football in 2015 and indicated last November.
I won a first game, Platini said. Following a case that was opened in 2015, their 11 day trial over the 2011 payment took place at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona and concluded on 22 June. “I wanted to express my happiness for all my love ones that Justice has finally been done after seven years of lies and manipulation,” said Platini. Platini continued saying “The truth has come to light during this trial and I deeply thank the judges of the tribunal for the independence of their decision. “I kept saying it, my fight is a fight against injustice.
I won a first game. “In this case, there are culprits who did not appear during this trial. Let them count on me, we will meet again because I will not give up and I will go all the way in my quest for truth.” Swiss businessman and Sports administrator Blatter joined FIFA in 1975, became general secretary in 1981 and then President of world’s football’s governing body in 1998.
He remained in the role for 17 years and following an investigation by FIFA's ethics committee, received a ban from football for eight years, later reduced to six. In 2021 he received a further six-year ban after the ethics committee investigated bonus payments. Following the verdict, Blatter said: “(I am) relaxed, definitely, because during seven years I was always under pressure because there was a court case opened against me. “Now Its finished, so I am happy. I am also happy for international football. “It’s justice, but it’s a victory for me.” In 2015, US prosecutors charged several top FIFA executives with corruption following a major inquiry by FBI. The charges came after a dramatic raid on a luxury hotel in Zurich and the arrest of seven FIFA executives. Blatter later resigned as FIFA president and Platini himself became embroiled in the investigation and withdrew his candidacy for the post.
Tennis.
Novak Djokovic beats Nick Kyrgios to win Wimbledon title.
Novak Djokovic underlined his recent dominance at Wimbledon with a composed and controlled fightback against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios to win a fourth consecutive men’s singles title. Serbia’s Djokovic 35, lost the first set after some incredible serving from Kyrgios, but ended up winning 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) on Centre Court. It is Djokovic’s seventh SW19 men’s title and only Roger Federer has more. Victory also moved him one behind Rafael Nadal’s record 22 men’s majors. Top seed Djokovic made a slower start than his 27-year-old opponent, who initially seemed neverless in his first Grand Slam singles final. But the Serb did not lose belief as he showed all of his experience and nous to turn the match around. “He’s a bit of a god, I’m not going to lie. I thought I played well,” Kyrgios said as he congratulated Djokovic. Losing his winning position began to irritate Kyrgios, who is known for his fiery temperament as well as his exciting tennis. While Kyrgios increasingly remontrated with his support team, Djokovic remained cool in the heat of the battle on a scorching Center Court. After clinching victory with his third match point, Djokovic dropped to his haunches and picked a blade of the Centre Court grass to eat in what has now become a customary celebration. It was a first major win of the year for the Serb, who was stopped from playing in the Australian Open after being deported because of his vaccination status and lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-finals.
