suspension from all football activity, which was
handed out on Thursday.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has appealed the 90-day
suspension handed out by the world game's governing body.
Blatter, as well as presidential candidate Michel Platini and
general secretary Jerome Valcke, was handed the punishment
on Thursday following approval by FIFA's adjudicatory chamber
of a recommendation made by the organisation's Ethics
Committee. All three deny any wrongdoing.
The sanctions can be extended by up to 45 days, which would
effectively end the outgoing Blatter's reign over world football -
with the FIFA congress where a replacement will be chosen
scheduled for February 26 next year.
Platini, who is also the head of UEFA, swiftly indicated his
intention to appeal and Blatter has now followed suit.
Klaus Stohlker, Blatter's friend and adviser, told the BBC: "He
has appealed already to FIFA's appeal committee. He is
defending his position and he is sure that he will be found not
guilty."
The investigation into Blatter's conduct relates to allegations
that he signed an "unfavourable" contract with the Caribbean
Football Union (CFU) in 2005, one that market experts claim
handed over World Cup television rights for a fraction of their
market value.
He is also accused of making a "disloyal payment" in 2011 to
Platini, whose bid to replace Blatter as FIFA president appears
all but over.
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