'Platini doesn't deserve such long suspension from football'

UEFA chief Michel Platini does not deserve such a long suspension from football-related activities, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has said.

The statement came after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld on Monday the suspension of the European football governing body (UEFA) president but reduced the term from six years to four and the penalty from 80,000 to 60,000 Swiss francs,reports Efe.

"This is a complex situation and it is difficult to comment on the judicial body's decision," Mutko said on Monday.

"Platini is an outstanding person and a serious organiser. He has done much for UEFA. The causes of his suspension do not deserve such a decision on him. I can only regret about that," Mutko said.

In early October, Platini and then-president of world football body (FIFA) Sepp Blatter were both suspended for the period of 90 days from their posts as part of the investigation into corruption allegations against them.

Among a number of corruption allegations, Blatter is suspected of a disloyal payment of 2 million Swiss francs to Platini in February 2011.

The adjudicatory chamber of the independent FIFA Ethics Committee held hearings into corruption charges on December 17 and 18, in regard to Blatter and Platini respectively, and on December 21 they were both suspended for the period of eight years from all football-related activities.

The committee also subjected both of the football executives to financial fines, obliging Blatter to pay 50,000 Swiss francs (over $50,300) and Platini - 80,000 Swiss francs (over $80,500).

On March 2, FIFA Appeal Committee ruled to reduce the suspension sentences for Palitini and Blatter from eight to six years.

Following the appeal committee's ruling both Platini and Blatter submitted an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne.

--IANS

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