LAST UPDATE | 18 Jun 2019
MICHEL PLATINI’S LAWYER insists the former UEFA president has “nothing to blame himself for” after he was after he was detained by police in connection with a probe into the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
The French football legend was taken into custody by French anti-corruption police investigating the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to the gas-rich Gulf state, a source close to the investigation said.
Qatar was named to host the World Cup in a decision that triggered controversy over its suitability amid allegations of corruption.
Platini led European football’s governing body from 2007 until 2015 when he was banned from football for four years for ethics violations including receiving €1.8 million payment from the disgraced former head of Fifa, Sepp Blatter.
William Bourdon, who is representing Platini, said in a statement that the 63-year-old was not arrested and that he is “confident about his future.”
The full statement reads:
Michel Platini, after having been heard, in the same investigation in free hearing last year, is now being questioned under police custody only for technical reasons.
“His counsel, Mr. William Bourdon, strongly affirms that this is in no way an arrest, but a hearing as a witness in the context desired by investigators, a framework that prevents all persons heard, then confronted, cannot confer outside the procedure.
“Michel Platini spoke calmly and precisely, answered all questions, including those about the bidding process of the Euro 2016, and provided useful explanations.
He has absolutely nothing to blame himself for and claims to be totally ignorant to facts that are beyond his control.
“He is absolutely confident about the future.”
Fifa have also released a statement about Platini, declining to comment on the matter.
“Fifa is aware of today’s press reports concerning Mr. Michel Platini.
“Please understand that since we don’t have all the details about the matter we are not in a position to comment further.
“Generally speaking, Fifa reiterates its full commitment to cooperating with the authorities in any given country of the world where investigations are taking place in connection with football activities.”
Additional reporting by Sinéad Farrell
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