FIFA's Sepp Blatter and UEFA's Michel Platini Banned From Football for Eight Years

Two of the most powerful figures in the world of football, and indeed global sport, Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter have been banned from any involvement with the sport for eight years. The suspensions, imposed by the independent ethics committee of FIFA, football’s international governing body mean that Mr. Platini will not be able to run in February’s election for the post currently held by the departing Blatter. Pertaining to a payment of $2 million USD made by Blatter to Platini in 2011, which kick-started the investigation into the pair, the ethics committee claimed that “there was no legal basis for this payment.” Both men are yet to react to the charges of conflict of interest.