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FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2015 file picture the FIFA logo is pictured on a wall of the FIFA headquarters during a meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee in Zurich, Switzerland while autumnal colors reflecting . FIFA\'s ethics committee has asked for sanctions against Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini after finishing investigations into their alleged financial wrongdoing. FIFA President Blatter and UEFA President Platini now face bans of several years at full hearings before FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert, likely in December. . (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

FIFA ethics judge opens cases against Blatter, Platini; aims for verdicts in December

ZURICH – FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert has formally opened cases against Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini and hopes to give verdicts in December.

A spokesman Eckert for says Blatter and Platini “will be invited to submit positions including any evidence” and can request hearings.

The FIFA and UEFA presidents, currently suspended for 90 days, face bans of at least several years for alleged financial wrongdoing.

The investigations chamber of the FIFA ethics committee said Saturday it submitted final case reports and asked for sanctions against both officials. Details were not given.

The case centres on $2 million of FIFA money Blatter approved for Platini in 2011 as backdated salary.

Both deny wrongdoing and say they had a verbal contract to pay Platini for work as Blatter’s presidential adviser from 1998-2002.

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