Michel Platini believes he will be vindicated after again vowing to clear his name following an eight-year ban from football, which was handed down by the FIFA Ethics Committee amid what he claims to be part of a plot against him.
The UEFA president has repeatedly insisted on his innocence despite seeing his case rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Platini – who was sanctioned along with Sepp Blatter in relation to an alleged disloyal payment of two million Swiss francs made by FIFA to the Frenchman in 2011 – says he will continue to fight his corner, including appealing to CAS, as he feels the charges against him have been fabricated.
I am waiting to hear the reasons behind the eight-year ban because there will then be the appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, he told La Gazetta dello Sport.
My lawyers are ready and I will fight my battle at all sporting levels and I will go to the civil courts if necessary. I will not accept such injustice and I am ready to claim damages in the civil courts.
Addressing the possibility that he will not have his name cleared in the courts, the 60-year-old added: I will accept my responsibilities [if that happens], but it s not just me as an individual in question here, there has been an entire plot [against me].
There are lots of possibilities, it s obvious that I wasn t the only target and the truth is that Zurich hates UEFA because of their power as a confederation which is free of scandals.
On the subject of Blatter, Platini said: The last time I saw him was two months ago after we were removed. I wouldn t exclude the possibility of seeing him in the future.
From a human perspective, after 41 years at FIFA I would like to see him at the next congress to promote his reforms.
