ZURICH/NYON: Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are still being paid by FIFA and UEFA while pursuing their appeals against eight-year suspensions and fines imposed by the world federation’s ethics committee before Christmas.

The respective heads of both FIFA and European federation UEFA were found culpable of financial misconduct over a SFrr2m payment authorised by Blatter for Platini in February 2011.

Both claimed that the money was due to Platini under the terms of a verbal agreement concerning work the Frenchman had undertaken for FIFA between 1999 and 2002.

They have denied wrongdoing and are taking their appeals first to FIFA, in accordance with regulations as a stepping stone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Andreas Bantel, spokesman for the audit and compliance committee which is chaired by Swiss businessman Domenico Scala, explained: “Until the election of a new president on February 26, Mr Blatter is the elected president and therefore – according to his contract – is entitled to receive his remuneration.”

By the time he is replaced Blatter will have been paid for a period of five months without undertaking any duties.

Although Blatter has been receiving his regular salary he has been unable to collect any bonuses.

Bantel added: “The duty of supervision is listed explicitly in the target agreements for the payment of bonuses. The compensation committee therefore decided, at its last meeting, not to make any further bonus payments to Mr Blatter.”

FIFA has appointed Issa Hayatou as interim president but UEFA has yet to appoint a substitute for Platini though it might decide to do so at its meetings later this week. Its 2016 congress has been postponed until May 3 when it may have to elect a new leader.

Blatter, according to Swiss businessman and associate Christian Constantin last year, earns around €8m-a-year so five months would compute to €3.3m.

UEFA has also confirmed that Platini will be paid “until further notice”.

Both FIFA and UEFA keep remuneration information secret but Platini, according to a French business magazine three years ago, received €2.2m-a-year (computing to €900,000).

WORLD SOCCER

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