Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1131709
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 JUNE 2019 20 FOOTBALL SPORTS FORMER Uefa president Michel Platini is being questioned by French anti-corruption investi- gators over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Platini, 63, was head of Euro- pean football's governing body until being banned in 2015 for ethics breaches. The former France midfield- er and three-time Ballon d'Or winner has always denied any wrongdoing. Qatar beat bids from USA, Australia, South Korea and Ja- pan in 2010. Platini is in custody and being questioned in Nanterre, a sub- urb in western Paris. Officials have been investigat- ing alleged corruption connect- ed to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups for the past two years and were reported to have inter- viewed Sepp Blatter, the former president of world governing body Fifa, in 2017. In a statement, Platini's law- yers reiterated he had not been arrested and has "expressed himself serenely and precisely, answering all the questions, in- cluding those on the conditions for the awarding of Euro 2016, and has provided useful explana- tions". They added: "He has noth- ing to do with this event which doesn't concern him at all. He is absolutely confident about what's next." Fifa said it is aware of Platini's questioning, but added that it is "not in a position to comment further." Platini was banned over a 2m Swiss francs (£1.3m) "disloyal payment" from Blatter, who was also banned from football for his part in the matter. Blatter has also always denied any wrong- doing. Platini's eight-year ban was lat- er reduced to four on appeal and will expire in October 2019. Qatar's bid team has been pre- viously accused of corruption, but was cleared following a two- year Fifa inquiry. Michel Platini questioned over awarding of World Cup to Qatar Michel Platini was head of Uefa from 2007 until he was banned in 2015