Sepp Blatter to appeal eight-year FIFA ban

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confirmed that he will appeal against his eight-year ban from football.

The 79-year-old was handed the sanction alongside UEFA president Michel Platini on Monday following an investigation into a £1.3m payment between the pair in 2011.

Both Blatter and Platini protested their innocence throughout the process, insisting that the payment was related to work carried out by Platini while he was an advisor for Blatter between 1998 and 2002.

Platini has already suggested that he will launch a formal appeal against the eight-year ban from all football-related activity, and a statement from Blatter's lawyers today confirmed that the long-reigning FIFA chief would do the same.

"President Blatter will appeal the decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber to the Appeal Committee," read the statement.

"While the decision announced yesterday confirmed that there was no corruption or bribery, President Blatter is eager to present his arguments to the Appeal Committee that the remaining charges must also fail because the evidence clearly demonstrates the relationship with Mr Platini was in all respects appropriate.

"President Blatter is prepared to take all legal steps to prevail on the remaining charges and clear his name."

Blatter yesterday said that he felt like a "punching ball" throughout the investigation.