Sepp Blatter's lawyer hits out at FIFA Ethics Committee following ban

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 08 October 2015

Sepp Blatter's lawyer slams FIFA's Ethics Committee for not carrying out their investigation properly following their decision to suspend the president for 90 days.

The lawyer of FIFA president Sepp Blatter has accused the governing body's Ethics Committee of not following the code of ethics and disciplinary code when deciding to suspend the Swiss for 90 days.

Blatter, UEFA president Michel Platini, who has been tipped to take over the football body, and FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke have all been banned following an investigation.

The decision was taken to punish Blatter after criminal proceedings were opened against the 79-year-old in regard to an alleged "disloyal" payment of £1.3m made to Platini in 2011.

A statement from Blatter's lawyer read: "President Blatter was disappointed that the Ethics Committee did not follow the code of ethics and disciplinary code, both of which provide for an opportunity to be heard.

"Further, the Ethics Committee based its decision on a misunderstanding of the actions of the Attorney General in Switzerland, which has opened an investigation but brought no charge against the president. In fact, the prosecutors will be obliged by law to dismiss the case if their investigation, barely two weeks old, does not establish sufficient evidence.

"President Blatter looks forward to the opportunity to present evidence that will demonstrate that he did not engage in any misconduct, criminal or otherwise."

Blatter is due to step down as President in February.