Full of smiles and confidence before entering the courtroom, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter claimed later Wednesday he was bothered by chest pains and unable to testify on the opening day of his criminal trial. ()
Once the most powerful man in the world of soccer, Blatter is facing charges of defrauding FIFA in a Swiss criminal court. He is on trial along with former France great Michel Platini, his former protégé who had been considered Blatter바카라s successor as president of the governing body of soccer.
Platini was also in court, sitting with an interpreter behind Blatter.
The 86-year-old Blatter was due to be questioned on Wednesday but when he was called to the stand about an hour before the court was scheduled to adjourn 바카라 following several motions from the defense that were all rejected 바카라 he asked instead to respond Thursday morning, when Platini is also set to be questioned.
바카라I바카라m not well. I have these problems that come and go,바카라 Blatter, sitting with his lawyer on a long bench, said in a voice barely louder than a whisper. 바카라I can바카라t breathe well. I don바카라t feel capable at the moment of responding to an interrogation.바카라
Blatter had earlier left the court for a break 바카라 another concession given to him because of his age 바카라 walking slowly out and clutching onto the shoulder of his daughter, Corinne Blatter Andenmatten.
바카라I hope that I바카라ll feel better tomorrow,바카라 Blatter said.
The trial is expected to last 11 days and the court will sit only until lunchtime each day because of Blatter바카라s health. He was in a coma following heart surgery 18 months ago.
The former FIFA president arrived at the Federal Criminal Court of Switzerland in Bellinzona in a buoyant mood, expressing confidence when asked about his chances.
바카라Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely,바카라 Blatter said. 바카라I feel optimistic, like always. With the beautiful sunshine. It바카라s the first day of a trial that바카라s going to last almost two weeks. If I didn바카라t feel confident the first day that would be bad. I am very confident.바카라
Blatter바카라s 17-year reign as FIFA president came to an end in June 2015, when he resigned amid a corruption scandal. A few months later, federal prosecutors in Switzerland revealed their investigation into a $2 million payment from FIFA to Platini from four years earlier.
Both Blatter and Platini have long denied wrongdoing and claim they had a verbal deal in 1998 for the money. That defense first failed with judges at the FIFA ethics committee, which banned them from soccer, and later in separate appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
바카라Is soccer by my side? Soccer is me. It바카라s been 45 years that I바카라ve been serving FIFA, international soccer. And it바카라s my life, it바카라s my professional life,바카라 Blatter added before going inside. 바카라I now have to defend myself a bit, but I will defend myself well, with a lawyer and that바카라s it, because I have a clean conscience.바카라
The fallout from the case also ended Platini바카라s campaign to succeed his former mentor and saw him removed as president of UEFA, the governing body of European soccer.
Platini바카라s lawyer, Dominic Nellen, tried to get the trial moved to a local court but his request was rejected.
바카라Finally, the hearing has started but in the wrong stadium,바카라 Nellen told the court.
The lawyers for Blatter and Platini also failed to dismiss FIFA바카라s civil claim to recoup the money.
바카라The payment of 2 million from Blatter to Platini was never approved by FIFA,바카라 said the governing body바카라s lawyer, Catherine Hohl-Chirazi. 바카라It바카라s clear that the federation was also damaged: 2 million was stolen.바카라
Both Blatter and Platini are expected to give closing statements on June 22, when the trial ends.
The three federal judges hearing the case are scheduled to deliver their verdict on July 8. Blatter and Platini each face of up to five years in prison, but suspended sentences are a likely option.
