Platini quits as UEFA chief to focus on his defence

Michel Platini resigned as UEFA president on Monday after his appeal against a ban from football activities failed though it was cut to four years.

The Frenchman said he was resigning to pursue the case over a suspect $2 million payment in Swiss courts in a bid to clear his name. He has been UEFA president since 2007 and the FIFA ban upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport effectively ended his career as one of the most powerful figures in sport.

The CAS rejected the appeal saying it was not convinced about the "legitimacy" of the payment ordered by ex-FIFA president Joseph Blatter. It did cut the ban from six years to four and reduced a fine from 80,000 Swiss francs ($80,000) to 60,000 Swiss francs.

“I note today's decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport but I consider it a profound injustice,” Platini said in a statement. “This decision inflicts a suspension for which the length stops me, de facto, and by luck, from being a candidate in the next FIFA presidential election. As agreed with the national associations, I resign as president of UEFA to pursue my fight before the Swiss courts to prove my probity in this case. Life has always kept beautiful surprises for me, now I am free to live them”.

The decision means that Platini will not be able to take any official role in the EURO 2016 tournament which starts in France on 10 June. He was a key organiser of the event until the FIFA payment scandal erupted.