The pair have been punished for the £1.35m FIFA president Blatter gave to Platini in February 2011 as a salary for unofficial work he undertook as a presidential adviser from 1999-2002.

Ethics judges ruled that Blatter broke FIFA Code of Ethics rules on conflicts of interest, breach of loyalty and offering gifts, and UEFA president Platini broke rules on conflict of interest and loyalty. But there was not sufficient evidence to prove the more serious charges of bribery or corruption.

Blatter’s spokesman has confirmed the 79-year-old will appeal and will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. And Platini has also confirmed he will appeal calling the ruling “a true mockery.”

In a statement, FIFA’s ethics committee said: “Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999.

[skysports.com]