Fifa have given a laughable reason for a reduction in Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini’s bans from football

It’s a reprieve, of sorts

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were hoping for the ultimate free pass this afternoon as they appealed their lengthy bans from all “football related activity” by Fifa. The former Fifa president and the head of Uefa were hit with eight year bans last year for their alleged roles in some very dodgy dealings. The pair were found guilty of breaches of Fifa's code of ethics after being investigated for a supposed 'disloyal payment' of £1.3m between Blatter and Platini in 2011 - something both men deny. This afternoon they heard the outcome of their appeal, and while they are not totally free men, it has been confirmed that both have had minor reductions to their bans applied, which will rule them out of football for six years, and not the initial eight-year-ban handed down. They will now be banned for all football related activity until 2022, interestingly the year of the World Cup in Qatar According to a statement, both men have had their bans reduced because of their outstanding service to football over the years. Honestly.

"The Appeal Committee considered that Mr. Platini's and Mr. Blatter's activities and the services they had rendered to FIFA, UEFA and football in general over the years should deserve appropriate recognition as a mitigating factor."

Blatter however still is unhappy and it is understood both he and the former France midfielder are to take their case to overturn the findings all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.