Blatter investigation: search of FFF offices at the request of Swiss Justice, documents seized

"Pursuant to that request for mutual legal assistance of 14/01/2016 and in close coordination with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, the French Financial Prosecution Office proceeded yesterday to a search of the offices of the French Football Federation (FFF) in Paris (FRA) with the latter’s consent. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) was present during the search," announced Swiss justice on 09/03/2016.

"Documents were seized in connection with the suspected payment of CHF 2m that is inter alia the subject of the proceedings," added the Swiss OAG. The 2m Swiss francs indicated by Swiss Justice (€1.54m at the time of payment) represents the amount paid on 01/02/2011 by Joseph Blatter to Michel Platini, the president of UEFA, for his role as an advisor to the former FIFA president between January 1999 and June 2002.

This case caused Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini to be suspended from any activity in football, since 08/10/2015, for eight years by the FIFA Ethics Committee, on 21/12/2015. This suspension was reduced to six years by the FIFA…