Story highlights
Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini banned from football for 8 years
FIFA Ethics Committee announced decision Monday
Defiant Blatter says he will fight ban, claims he is a "punching ball"
UEFA announces support for Platini
Sepp Blatter came out fighting Monday after FIFA’s Ethics Committee banned the Swiss and Michel Platini from all football-related activities for eight years.
Football’s world governing body’s Ethics Committee ruled that both FIFA president Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Platini had broken FIFA Code of Ethics relating to conflicts of interest, breach of loyalty and gifts. The pair were cleared of bribery and corruption allegations.
Blatter said he was being treated like a “punching ball” and maintained he was still the FIFA President and “a man of principles.”
“I’m really sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball,” the 79-year-old said at a press conference at FIFA’s former headquarters at Sonnenberg, Zurich.
“I’m sorry for me for, how I’m tainted in this world of humanitarian qualities,” Blatter added.
“Even suspended I am the President. I am not ashamed. I [do] not regret …
“I will always repeat that. I am a man of principles. These principles are never taking money you have never earned and pay your debts.”
Blatter also claimed FIFA’s Ethics Committee has no right to go against him and said he would be appealing the ban.
