By Fatih Erel
GENEVA (AA) - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Monday former FIFA President Sepp Blatter's appeal against his six-year ban from football-related activities.
"As a consequence, the decision rendered by the FIFA Appeal Committee on 16 February 2016 remains in force and Blatter remains banned from taking part in any football-related activity at national and international level for six years as from 8 October 2015 and must pay a fine of CHF 50,000 [approximately $50,000]," the CAS said in a statement on Monday.
In December 2015, Blatter and former UEFA President Michel Platini were suspended for eight years from football-related activities following an investigation which found they had abused their positions.
They were suspended over a $2 million “disloyal payment” to Platini in 2011.
In February, FIFA’s appeal committee had rejected Blatter and Platini’s bids to have their eight-year bans from the sport quashed. However, their suspensions were reduced to six years.
On March 2, Platini filed an appeal against this six-year ban at CAS and his ban was reduced to four years.
"By approving a payment of 2 million [Swiss Francs] to Platini in 2011 for the balance of work carried out under the alleged oral agreement, Blatter breached the FIFA Code of Ethics since the payment amounted to an undue gift as it had no contractual basis. The Panel further found that Blatter unlawfully awarded contributions to Platini under the FIFA Executive Committee retirement scheme which also amounted to an undue gift," the CAS said.
"Turning to the sanction, the Panel noted that Mr. Blatter requested the annulment of the ban but did not request a reduced penalty," the CAS added.