Police have raided and searched the offices of the French Football Federation (FFF) in Paris, France at the request of the Swiss authorities in a dramatic new twist in the criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter.
A statement released by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) noted that at the heart of the issue is the “disloyal payment’’ of SFr2m which Blatter authorised.
The money was transferred by FIFA to Michel Platini, the French President of European Federation UEFA who was also a FIFA vice-president.
The Paris raid and search was confirmed by the Office of the Swiss Attorney-General.
The office said: “Documents were seized in connection with the suspected payment of CHF 2million that is inter alia the subject of the proceedings.’’
A particular focus of interest was an office, which Frenchman Platini is understood to have maintained in the FFF headquarters.
He is considered by the Swiss authorities as being `between a witness and accused’ though no criminal proceedings have been opened against him.
Platini is hoping to prove his innocence in time to reclaim the UEFA leadership and presidency over the European Championship finals in France in June and July.
