Sepp Blatter prepares for appeal against eight-year suspension

By PA Sport

Image: FIFA president Sepp Blatter

Banned FIFA president Sepp Blatter's appeal against his eight-year suspension from all football-related activity will be heard on Tuesday.

Blatter, 79, was banned in December after he was found guilty of a £1.3million "disloyal payment" to UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011.

Frenchman Platini, who was also served with an eight-year ban for his role in the payment, made his case against his ban at a FIFA appeal hearing in Zurich on Monday.

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Image: Michel Platini arrives at FIFA HQ in Zurich on Monday

Arriving for his hearing with FIFA's appeals committee, Platini told waiting reporters: "I am not fighting for my future, I am fighting against injustice."

In remarks reported by L'Equipe, he added: "If I had anything to reproach myself for, I would be hiding in Siberia in shame.

"I will look people in the eyes, I have done nothing and I fear nothing. I am 60 years old and I never had a red card on the pitch."

Platini upbeat after hearing

Michel Platini upbeat after eight-hour hearing at FIFA

If Platini fails to have his sanction overturned, it is likely he would take his fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with Blatter poised to do the same.

Platini continued: "Is it Blatter who put me in this situation? Not at all, he is in the same situation as me. Someone pushed the button and I will try to find out who."

UEFA stated last month that it will not hold an election for its presidency until Platini's appeals process has been exhausted.

The FIFA appeals committee, which is chaired by Larry Mussenden, the president of the Bermuda Football Association, has the power to reduce, increase or overturn the ban imposed in December.

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