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15.12.2019 11:50
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GENEVA -- Sepp Blatter lost his appeal against a six-year ban by FIFA on Monday, and now has more serious legal cases lined up against him.Blatter said in a statement it was difficult to accept the Court of Arbitration for Sports verdict, but that the way the case progressed, no other verdict could be expected.The former FIFA president, who was banned for approving a $2 million payment to Michel Platini in 2011, said he will accept the decision. He could have pursued a further appeal at Switzerlands supreme court.I have experienced much in my 41 years in FIFA. I mostly learned that you can win in sport, but you can also lose, Blatter said. Nevertheless I look back with gratitude to all the years, in which I was able to realize my ideals for football and serve FIFA.The verdict ends Blatters hopes of becoming honorary president of the soccer body he left in disgrace in February. He must also pay FIFA a fine of 50,000 Swiss francs ($49,500).Still, his legal problems are far from over.Blatter faces a separate FIFA ethics investigation into suspected bribery linked to multi-million dollar bonuses in top executives contracts. Swiss prosecutors also opened criminal proceedings against Blatter for the Platini payment, and a sale of World Cup television rights.He is also a stated target of American federal prosecutors in their sprawling investigation of corruption linked to international soccer officials, and an expected witness in a separate Swiss probe of German organizers of the 2006 World Cup.Blatter denies any wrongdoing.The three-member CAS panel was judging whether Blatter was guilty of unethically offering a cash gift and conflict of interest with Platini, who was a FIFA vice president in 2011.Blatter and Platini both said the $2 million was uncontracted salary based on a verbal agreement more than a decade earlier. From 1999 to 2002, the former France great was the newly elected Blatters presidential adviser.The payment amounted to an undue gift as it had no contractual basis, CAS said in a statement.Blatter said Monday it was incomprehensible that his version was not accepted in spite of my testimony to the contrary and the testimony given by other witnesses.However, that explanation of a salary deal has now been doubted by three sets of judges at FIFA and CAS.The FIFA ethics committee investigated after the payment emerged in September 2015 during the wider Swiss federal probe of FIFA.Blatter and Platini -- whose FIFA presidential bid was stalled, then ended, by the case -- were banned from soccer duty for eight years last December. The FIFA appeal committee cut two years from both mens bans as appropriate recognition for their long service.After a separate CAS appeal hearing, Platinis ban was reduced in May to four years, ensuring he lost the UEFA presidency.When Blatters case came to CAS in August, Platini testified on his behalf during a 14-hour hearing.It might not be the last court room Blatter sees.Blatter is suspected of bribery in a FIFA ethics case that was opened in September. It also implicates former secretary general Jerome Valcke and former finance director Markus Kattner, who were both fired by FIFA this year.The latest ethics investigation relates to alleged self-dealing in FIFA employment contracts that promised Blatter tens of millions of dollars in bonuses for each successful World Cup and completing a four-year mandate.The FIFA ethics committee and CAS have insisted on life bans in previous bribery cases.FIFA has not filed a criminal complaint over the bonus payments, the Zurich-based soccer body said Monday.Switzerlands attorney general has opened criminal proceedings against Blatter for suspected financial mismanagement and embezzlement in the Platini payment, plus FIFA awarding World Cup television rights to the Caribbean in 2005 that seemed undervalued by at least $15 million.Swiss prosecutors have also opened a case against Franz Beckenbauer and other 2006 World Cup organizers over a suspicious payment of 6.7 million euros ($7 million) through FIFAs accounts in 2005. Blatters former right-hand man Urs Linsi was formally made a suspect last month.United States federal investigators have said Blatter is a target in their probe of bribery, wire fraud and money laundering in international soccer.Several former FIFA vice presidents are among more than 40 soccer and marketing officials either indicted or who have made guilty pleas in a case that mostly involves commercial rights to non-FIFA tournaments and World Cup qualifying games in Latin America.However, Blatter could be a significant witness to explain suspected bribe payments totaling $10 million through FIFA accounts in 2008. U.S. prosecutors said the money was to settle bribes for three FIFA voters, including American official Chuck Blazer, who supported South Africas successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup.The cases are expected to develop in the first half of 2017.Blatter has acknowledged being advised by lawyers not to travel from Switzerland, which does not extradite its own citizens.His last known trip abroad was to Russia in July 2015 to join Vladimir Putin on stage for the World Cup qualifying draw at a former royal palace in St. Petersburg.Tracy McGrady Jersey . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Bruno Fernando Jersey . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. https://www.cheaphawks.com/594r-frank-selvy-jersey-hawks.html . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Walt Bellamy Jersey .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. John Brown Jersey . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said.What do you need to know about the weekends big stories? Joe McDonald gives us his take on the biggest and best.Gallant firing a shocker: Theres no way anyone had Gerard Gallant in the pool as being the first coach fired this season. After a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Florida Panthers fired Gallant late Sunday. You cant put all the blame on the coach for the teams 11-10-1 record. Injuries to key players and roster changes affected the teams start. Also, if hockey personnel in Florida are relying on analytics to decide a coachs fate, they have it wrong. The players respect Gallant, something analytics wont tell you. General manager Tom Rowe is taking over behind the bench, but a coaching change will have a negative effect in the room. It was no fluke Gallant led the Panthers to franchise-record 103 points and a Atlantic Division title last season. Describing the situation as a gong show would be a major understatement. Heres my question: Who is calling the shots in Florida? Management or ownership? I cant see how this change helps the team. Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee should hire Gallant today for next season.Pastrnak stands out, too: I cant remember a season when the NHL was loaded with such a huge pool of talented young players. Youve got, of course, the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid, the Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews and the Winnipeg Jets Patrik Laine. Across the board, players under-24 players are dominating. But lets not forget about the Boston Bruins David Pastrnak.dddddddddddd The 20-year-old forward, a 25th-overall pick in 2014, has been Bostons best player this season. He scored his 13th goal of the season to help the Bruins to a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. Sure, it helps that hes playing on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, but he always has been a dynamic player and hes finally coming into his own. Pastrnak is second in goals behind the Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby (15) and has 17 points in 17 games, including a plus-13. Add Pastrnak to the list of young players to keep an eye on this season.Give the stopper credit: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be one of the key reasons for the Jets return to the Stanley Cup playoffs this season. He made 42 saves in the Jets 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators on Sunday, his second shutout of the season. The victory also ended Winnipegs five-game losing skid. Hellebuyck has made timely saves in critical situations as the Jets go-to guy while starting 11 of the past 13 games. The 26 games (13-11-1 record) he played as a rookie last season were invaluable as the organization is leaning on him now. Hes only 8-8-0 with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage in 17 games, but the 23-year-old is playing with confidence, which can only equal more wins for the Jets. ' ' ' |
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