Blatter, Platini receive written reasons for FIFA bans

The adjudicatory chamber of FIFA's Ethics Committee has provided Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini with the written reasons for their eight-year suspensions from football, as lawyers for the UEFA president confirm he will launch an appeal.

The pair, scrutinised for a $2million payment made to Platini by FIFA in 2011, were banned from all football-related activity in December after being judged to have broken rules on conflicts of interest, breach of loyalty and offering or receiving gifts.

By sending them written reasons for the punishments, the Ethics Committee has fulfilled its obligation to do so in the first half of January and cleared the way for appeals to be lodged.

Blatter and Platini had already signalled their intention to dispute the punishment and following FIFA's statement, Platini's lawyer Thibaud d'Ales confirmed his client will proceed with a swift appeal against the punishment.

"We will read them, analyse them and launch an appeal on Monday," he said.

An initial appeal must go through the FIFA Appeal Committee prior to any potential involvement of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

FIFA's election congress is due to take place on February 26, but Platini has already withdrawn his candidacy to replace Blatter at the helm.

FIFA also confirmed the suspension of former executive committee member Worawi Makudi has been extended.

The Ethics Committee has added 45 days to Makudi's initial 90-day ban - which was due to expire on Saturday - as he continues to be investigated for his role in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process.

The ruling means Makudi is unable to stand for the presidency in the Football Association of Thailand elections next month.