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Blatter, Platini cleared of corruption charges for second time over FIFA payment

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Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini were on Tuesday, both cleared of corruption charges by the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court in the town of Muttenz, near Basel, Switzerland.

This comes two-and-a-half years after the duo was first acquitted of the offences.

Blatter and Platini, once among the most powerful figures in world football, were cleared of fraud mismanagement.

The hearing took place after Swiss federal prosecutors appealed against their 2022 acquittal at a lower court.

Both men had denied the charges which is over a 2 million Swiss franc (£1.6m) payment made to Platini, who was UEFA president at the time, in 2011.

The attorney general’s office in Switzerland had challenged a first acquittal in July 2022 and asked for sentences of 20 months, suspended for two years.

The scandal ended both men’s careers in football as they were banned from the global game in 2015, with Platini’s dream of succeeding Blatter at FIFA in tatters.

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Transfer: Fulham reject Atletico Madrid bid for Iwobi

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Fulham have rejected Spanish Atletico Madrid bid for Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi, Ekwutosblog reports.

Atletico Madrid, according to Africa Foot, submitted a $21.5m.bid for Iwobi this week.

Diego Simeone’s side offered him a four-year contract with a salary worth €7m per year.

The 29-year-old was reportedly open to the idea of playing in Spain, but Fulham are not willing to sell one of their best players.

Atletico Madrid have lined him up as a replacement for Belgium international Yannick Carrasco.

Iwobi was in excellent form for Fulham last season, registering 10 goals, and six assists in 38 appearances.

The versatile midfielder made history as the first Nigerian to play all 38 games in the Premier League in two different seasons.

He came second in Fulham’s Player of the Season award, which was won by his international teammate, Calvin Bassey.

 

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Liverpool manager, Slot reveals last conversation with Diogo Jota before death

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Liverpool manager, Arne Slot has revealed his last conversation with forward, Diogo Jota before his death.

Recall that Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in Spain died on Thursday.

Speaking on the development, Slot revealed that he wished Jota all the best on his wedding in their final-ever conversation together.

“The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo [Jota] on winning the [UEFA] Nations League [with Portugal] and I wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding.

“In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo Jota and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this,” Slot lamented as he told Liverpool’s website.

Jota played a vital role for Slot’s team as they won the English Premier League title last term.

The 28-year-old has won several trophies at Anfield since joining the Reds from Wolves five years ago.

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UEFA announce moment of silence for Diogo Jota, André Silva

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UEFA have announced a moment of silence in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who sadly passed away on Thursday.

In the early hours of Thursday, both football stars died as a result of a car crash in Zamora, Spain.

In a post on their website, UEFA said a moment of silence will be observed at all UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 games taking place today and tomorrow in memory of the late players.

Reacting to the tragic news, President of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin, said: “Just three weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting Diogo Jota with a medal after the UEFA Nations League final, a moment of joy, pride, and celebration that’ll now forever be burned in memory with sorrow.

“Rest in peace, dear Diogo. You’ll not be forgotten.”

Just last month, Jota got married to his long-time girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, in Porto.

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