Ekun Samuel, 25 February 2016, 6:30AM
Former Fifa President Josep Sepp Blatter and former Uefa President Michel Platini who were previously given eight years ban from football activities have seen their bans reduced to six years.
The ban came as a result over a conflict of interest in a 2 million Swiss franc (£1.35 million) payment deal made to Platini that is also the subject of a criminal investigation in Switzerland. On Wednesday, those bans were upheld, although the suspensions were each reduced by two years.
Both parties have seen not to be satisfied with the decision taken by the Appeal committee despite the fact it has been reduced by two years. The Appeal committee who claimed to have considered that Mr. Platini's and Mr. Blatter's activities and the services they had rendered to FIFA, UEFA and football in general over the years should deserve appropriate recognition as a mitigating factor," FIFA said.
Sepp Blatter expressed his disappointment over decision taken by the appeal committee and has said in a statement through his spokesman: "I am very disappointed by the appeal committee of FIFA and I will take it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne."
Same goes for Michel Platini who said he sees the decision in reality as a political decision taken by FIFA's administration. As he further described the reasons taken to be baseless, trumped up and surreal.
Sepp Blatter knows he would became weak and feeble in six years time should the ruling stands, and would completely dent his reputation which he has held till last year 2015 ever since elected in 1998.
