Platini will not attend FIFA Ethics Committee hearing

Paris, Dec 16: Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)’s suspended president Michel Platini will not attend the hearing on Friday of the FIFA ethics committee that will decide his punishment, as he considers this committee is flawed, his lawyers told EFE.

Platini was to appear this week before the committee investigating the payment of 1.8 million euros ($1.96 million) by FIFA to him and calling for his suspension from any soccer-related activities for life.

In this case, his legal representatives will attend the hearing. Lawyers for the UEFA president said in a statement that the verdict of the committee has been announced, regardless of the fundamental rights of defense, in particular the presumption of innocence. (IANS)