Michel Platini, former UEFA president arrested for awarding 2022 Fifa World Cup to Qatar

Michel Platini, the former president of Uefa and head of European football, has been arrested over the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

The 63-year-old was banned in 2015 for receiving a two million Swiss francs (£1.3m) payment from FIFA in 2011.

Platini was initially given an eight-year ban from all football activities but that was later reduced to four years and was due to expire in October 2019.

Mediapart claim Platini was taken into custody on Tuesday morning as part of the investigation into the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar.

He is said to have been taken to the premises of the Anti-Corruption Office of the Judicial Police (OCLCIFF).

Qatar was named as the hosts of the World Cup in December 2010 but there have been a number of controversies regarding their suitability.

Former vice-president Jack Warner claimed an e-mail had been publicised amid allegations Qatar had ‘bought’ the Wold Cup – although the bid team have denied any wrongdoing.

Platini was tipped to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016 before both were banned from football from four years.

The Frenchman was banned for receiving a £1.35m payment from FIFA on Blatter’s orders and has served three-and-a-half years of a four-year ban.

He continues to deny any wrongdoing and is taking legal action over defamation and false accusation.

During his playing days, Platini was crowned Ballon d’Or winner three times in a row between 1983 and 1985.

The Frenchman made his name with Nancy and also enjoyed spells with Saint-Etienne and Juventus.

He was also part of the French side that won the European Championships in 1984.

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