Suspended UEFA President Michel Platini said that he was "more optimistic" of having his six-year ban from football overturned after his appeal hearing at sport's highest tribunal on Friday, "with a decision due within 10 days," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. However, the Frenchman said that he recognized that his "long, illustrious career in the game would be over if the decision went against him." Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter was "among the three people who gave evidence at the eight-hour hearing" at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. Platini: "I am even more optimistic after (this hearing) because, sincerely the team that came, and you saw that we were numerous, was very good." If Platini is absolved, "he would be free to resume his duties as UEFA president and attend Euro 2016 in his native France in an official capacity in June and July." He said, "If I am president of UEFA, I will be at every game at Euro 2016." But, referring to a "possible defeat," he added, "I am going to go on holiday, wait and maybe I will be definitively on holiday, or retired" (REUTERS, 4/29). In London, Andrew Warshaw reported European football looks set to be "without a leader until September" if Platini "fails to clear his name over alleged ethics violations." Unless his six-year ban is overturned, UEFA will "not have enough time to elect his successor before the tournament starts on June 10," with September the earliest date for elections to take place. A source close to UEFA said, "If Platini doesn't get off, it is highly unlikely any election could take place before September. Candidates would have to have at least a couple of months to campaign and that can't be done during the Euros" (DAILY MAIL, 4/30).
