Blatter mounts final FIFA ban appeal

tions against Platini “too severe” and trimmed his suspension to four years.

That outcome would likely offer little comfort to the ageing Blatter, whose four-decade career as a football broker is likely over.

Separate from Thursday’s appeal, Blatter is also the target of a criminal investigation by Swiss prosecutors over the Platini payment and alleged mismanagement during his 17-year tenure as FIFA president.

He has been replaced in that job by fellow Swiss national and former UEFA number two Gianni Infantino in February.

An investigation commissioned by Infantino’s administration also accused Blatter and two top deputies — Jerome Valcke and Markus Kattner — of awarding themselves nearly $80 million worth of improper salary increases and bonuses during their final five years in office.

Both Valcke and Kattner have been sacked by FIFA. Valcke is also the subject of a Swiss criminal probe.

Blatter and Platini were the most prominent casualties during more than a year unprecedented scandal that upended world football, but many others have fallen.

Prosecutors in New York have indicted 40 football and sports marketing executives over allegedly receiving tens of millions of bribes and kickbacks.