Sepp Blatter has reached a “gentleman’s deal” with Michel Platini to pay him one million Swiss francs ($1.02 million) a year as an adviser, the former world football director told their court on Thursday. The French football legend jokingly asked Blatter for a million dong, without specifying the currency, and the then FIFA president agreed, with part of the money – in addition to the contract they signed – to be pay “later”, the Swiss Federal Criminal Court heard.
Blatter and Platini are on trial over a payment of two million Swiss francs in 2011 to the former France captain, who at the time was in charge of European football’s governing body UEFA.
The trial in the southern city of Bellinzona – following an investigation that began in 2015 and lasted six years – opened on Wednesday.
The first day of evidence shows Blatter and Platini’s live trial – at points, to the surprise of the court – of the ordinary behind-the-scenes nature at the height of world football.
Platini was employed as a consultant to Blatter from 1998 to 2002. They signed in 1999 with an annual remuneration of 300,000 Swiss francs, fully paid by FIFA.
Platini, 66, is considered one of world football’s greatest ever players. He won the Ballon d’Or, considered the most prestigious individual award, three times in the mid-1980s.
Blatter, 86 years old, joined FIFA in 1975 and became president of world football’s governing body in 1998.
Blatter testified in court that he had turned to Platini for advice regarding political trips, reforming the international calendar and helping national federations financially.
– ‘I want a million’ –
Blatter told the court: “When I was elected president of FIFA, we had a terrible record. But I think a man who has been in football can help us – FIFA and myself.” .
Platini said: “When Mr. Blatter asked me to be his consultant, he asked me what salary I wanted. I was surprised when he asked me this question and I said to him: ‘I want a million’.” .
“Sepp said to me: ‘a million what?”. And I joke, “pesetas, liras, rubles, mark; you decide”.
“He said to me: ‘OK, a million Swiss francs,'” Platini recalls, adding that he was ‘bowed in’ by the former Swiss football manager.
Josephine Contu Albrizio, who led the three judges hearing the trial, hesitated, then sought to ensure that Platini understood the “difference in value” between the currencies.
“I’ve never worked in a governing body like FIFA, I don’t know how it works,” Platini said. “I answered so: one million”.
Blatter recounts that Platini “told me: ‘I’m worth a million.’ I told him, ‘So you’ll be with me for a million,'” he said, adding that the Frenchman “worth” the amount.
Prosecutors allege Blatter falsely signed an invoice for two million Swiss francs presented by Platini to FIFA in 2011, nearly nine years after Blatter’s mentorship ended.
– ‘The rest will come later’ –
Blatter said the annual contract of 300,000 Swiss francs was a temporary deal.
Platini “told me ‘That’s not all,’ and I replied: ‘The rest will come later,'” the former FIFA chief said.
Blatter insists he has agreed with Platini the rest to be settled as FIFA’s fragile finances allow, in a “gentlemen’s agreement” signed orally and without witnesses.
“It’s a paycheck that’s due,” he insisted.
“I don’t know why we have to go to an administrative hearing,” he said in a strained voice, recalling that since the investigation began in 2015, he has been through through “seven years of punishment – an eternity”.
The judges were baffled why Platini had only billed FIFA in 2011 for two million francs, instead of the 2.8 million he would have been owed under an oral contract.
“It was my fault. I was wrong,” Platini said – with laughter in the courtroom – saying he hasn’t checked how much he was paid.
“I realized this when the prosecutor showed me the 1999 contract during questioning,” he said.
Judge Contu Albrizio asked Platini why he never bothered with the outstanding balance.
“I’ve never been worried about money, because since I was 17, I’ve made a decent living,” Platini said.
Blatter and Platini were charged with fraud and forgery of documents. Blatter is charged with misappropriation of property and criminal mismanagement, while Platini is accused of participating in those crimes.
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The trial will conclude on June 22, with three judges scheduled to deliver sentences on July 8.
If convicted, the couple could face up to five years in prison or a fine.
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