Blatter, Platini Acquitted Of Corruption Charges Again

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have once again been cleared of corruption charges, securing their second legal victory against Swiss federal prosecutors.

The former FIFA president and ex-UEFA chief, once the most powerful figures in global football, were acquitted on Tuesday in a long-running case that has lasted over a decade.

The pair had been accused of fraud , forgery, mismanagement, and unlawfully receiving more than 2 million in FIFA funds in 2011.

Blatter, now 89, remained composed as a panel of three cantonal judges, acting as a federal criminal appeals court, delivered the verdict. Seated in front of Platini, he appeared deep in thought-alternating between tapping his fingers on the desk and covering his mouth with his hand. Only after the 55-minute ruling was read did he allow himself a smile, shaking his lawyer's hand before sharing a long embrace with his daughter, Corinne.

You saw my daughter in tears because she believed in her father, and I had faith in myself, Blatter said, expressing relief that the legal battle was finally behind him. Waiting for such a long time takes a toll on a person, and my family has been deeply affected.