Advertisement
Former Uefa chief Michel Platini arrested after probe into awarding of 2022 World Cup to Qatar
- Platini arrested on Tuesday morning
- Sixty-three-year-old was Uefa chief until 2015
Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
Ex-Uefa chief Michel Platini was arrested on Tuesday in connection with a probe into the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, a source close to the investigation said.
Advertisement
The French football legend elected to lead European football’s governing body in 2007 was taken into custody by French anti-corruption police investigating the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to the gas-rich Gulf state.
Qatar was named as host of the World Cup in a decision that triggered controversy over its suitability amid allegations of corruption.
Platini, 63, led Uefa until 2015 when he was banned from football for four years for ethics violations including receiving a two-million Swiss francs (€1.8 million euros, US$2 million) payment from the disgraced former head of Fifa Sepp Blatter.
Advertisement
Qatar has been accused of buying votes in its bid to stage the World Cup and a subsequent report by US independent investigator Michael Garcia unearthed an array of suspect financial dealings, many linked to Sandro Rosell, the ex-Barcelona president who served as a consultant for Qatar.
Advertisement