SHOCKING!!! Former UEFA President Michel Platini Arrested For Corruptly Awarding The 2022 World Cup To Qatar

Mediapart report that the former Uefa president, regarded as one of the greatest players in world football during the 1980s, was picked up as part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged rigging of the vote which saw Qatar earn the rights to stage the 2022 World Cup.

And in news that will rock football in France Claude Gueant – a close adviser to former French president Nicolas Sarkosy – has been questioned as a “free suspect“.

He served in the role as Uefa president for eight years until 2015, when he was banned from football by the Fifa ethics committee.

Platini had been found guilty of accepting a “disloyal payment” of £1.6million from then Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

The pair were banned from football until 2023, with the committee saying Platini “did not show commitment to an ethical attitude”.

INFLUENCE

Platini has never denied he traded his vote in 2010 in exchange for French influence.

There was a crunch meeting between him, then president of France Sarkozy, and Qatar’s ruling Al Thani family a few days before the decision.
It was made clear to Platini that French oil interests should prevail.

Platini won the Ballon d’Or three times during a brilliant career which saw him lead the Juventus side for five years between 1982-87.

After his retirement he then became manager of the French national team after France failed to qualify for the 1990 World Cup, but left after a disappointing display at Euro 92.

That led to the former playmaker to move into football administration, and he played a key role in helping to organise the World Cup in France in 1998.

His success and reputation led to him gaining increasing influence in the corridors of power within the international game.

Platini moved up the ranks at Uefa and in 2002 he took on a position within the Fifa executive committee.

The legendary figure continued to gain more supporters and in 2007 he became the most powerful man in European football when he was elected Uefa president.