More trouble for Blatter as FIFA issues fresh 6-year ban

Sepp Blatter, former FIFA president, has been handed a fresh six years and eight months ban from all football activities.

The football world governing body broke the news in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the ban was imposed for “multiple violations” of FIFA’s ethics code.

The football world governing body also handed out the same sanction to Jerome Valcke, former secretary-general of FIFA.

The pair were fined the sum of CHF1 million ($1 million) and given thirty days to effect payment of the fine.

“The investigations into Messrs Blatter and Valcke covered various charges, in particular concerning bonus payments in relation to FIFA competitions that were paid to top FIFA management officials, various amendments and extensions of employment contracts, as well as reimbursement by FIFA of private legal costs in the case of Mr Valcke,” the statement read.

The adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee ruled that Blatter had breached “duty of loyalty, conflicts of interest and offering and accepting gifts or other benefits of the FIFA code of ethics.”

Valcke was also found to have violated the same three rules as well as “abuse of position.”

The duo, who also face criminal proceedings in Switzerland, will start serving the new sanctions when their current ones expire.

Blatter and Valcke were previously banned for six and 10 years respectively, in separate cases.

While Blatter’s first ban is expected to end in October 2021, Valcke’s previous sanction will expire in October 2025.