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Platini takes six-year ban by Fifa to arbitration court

Michel Platini has made a formal appeal to the international sports tribunal against his six-year ban from football amid a call from a top European federation leader for him to resign as Uefa president.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CSA) said yesterday that Platini lodged an appeal which could be completed before the European Championships start in June.

That would allow him to attend the event if successful.

But German Football Federation Reinhad Rauball said Platini should stand down as Uefa chief because of the power vacuum in European football.

Platini is suspended and general secretary Gianni Infantino became Fifa president last Friday.

Platini and former Fifa leader Sepp Blatter were banned for six years each over a $2-million (about R31-million) payment made by Fifa to Platini.

The ban against the two football powerbrokers was reduced from eight years by a Fifa appeal committee on February 24. But Platini, 60, has said he wants to fight the ban further.

The panel will consider a verdict after a hearing in Lausanne.

"In theory we have four months for a verdict, but Michel Platini has asked us for a decision before the start of Euro 2016 so we will adapt to the request of the parties," CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb said.

Platini was a key figure behind staging the European Championships in his native country and is desperate to be present when it starts in Paris on June 10.

He has denied any wrongdoing insisting there was an oral contract. - AFP

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