FIFA has provisionally banned President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini for 90 days.
The international football organisation has also banned its former vice president Chung Mong-joon for six years, and its secretary general Jerome Valcke for 90 days. The move follows an investigation by FIFA into allegations that officials abused their positions to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks.
The announcement comes just hours after Mr Blatter criticised the criminal investigation against him in Switzerland, describing it as "outrageous". He also defended his decision to remain as head of the football organising body and not step down immediately, as worldwide sponsors have urged.
A statement released by FIFA's ethics committee said: "The duration of the bans may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 45 days... During this time, the above individuals are banned from all football activities on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately."
"The proceedings against the South Korean football official Chung Mong joon were opened in January 2015, based on findings in the report on the investigation into the bidding process for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups." It said he been found guilty of infringing several rules, including conduct, confidentiality and duty of disclosure. He has been fined £67,000.
Responding to the ban, Michel Platini issued a statement claiming FIFA had broken the rules governing the investigation. "Over the last few weeks, I have stressed my willingness to cooperate fully with the authorities carrying out the various enquiries in compliance with the strictest procedural rules," he said. "FIFA, on the other hand, has clearly flouted those rules.
"I have always acted and expressed myself with honesty, courage and candour, as I feel that this is my moral duty. If what is being reported regarding the intentions of the investigatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee is indeed true, I will stop at nothing to ensure that the truth is known."
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