A former top official in international soccer has been arrested and is being questioned in relation to a corruption probe into how the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar.
Ex-UEFA president Michel Platini was taken into custody on Tuesday and is being detained at the Anti-Corruption Office of the Judicial Police outside Paris. Following questioning, he can either be released or formally charged.
Platini, a former soccer great for France, voted for Qatar to be awarded the Cup in 2010. As UEFA president, Platini was also a VP for FIFA and had a vote on World Cup hosts.
The 2010 vote came just weeks after Platini attended a meeting with France’s then-President Nicolas Sarkozy and Qatar’s crown prince in Paris.
Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s president in 2010, claims Platini backed out of a secret agreement to award the 2022 tournament to the United States.
Both men were ousted from their positions in 2015.
One of Sarkozy’s former sports advisers, Sophie Dion, was also detained on Tuesday.
Editor’s Note: RealClearLife, a news and lifestyle publisher, is now a part of InsideHook. Together, we’ll be covering current events, pop culture, sports, travel, health and the world. Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
