Sepp Blatter, his face partially covered by a huge plaster, today claimed he was being treated like a punchbag after he and Michel Platini were banned from all football activities for eight years and fined by the FIFA adjudicatory ethics chamber.

The decision, revealed in Zurich on Monday, brings a definitive end to Blatter and Platini's control of the sport, while the Frenchman will be unable to run for FIFA presidency on February 26.

The bans have been imposed by FIFA's ethics committee judge Hans-Joachim Eckert for a 'disloyal payment' of £1.35million (2million Swiss francs) to Platini, signed off by Blatter in 2011.

A dishevelled Blatter, sporting a large plaster after apparently having a mole removed from his face, spoke at a packed news conference shortly after the decision was made.

He confirmed he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Sport, insisting only the FIFA congress could remove him as president. He blamed everyone but himself and insisted: 'I'll be back'.

'I am really sorry. I am sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball,' he said. 'I am sorry that as president of FIFA, I am this punching ball. I am sorry for football.'

A dishevelled Sepp Blatter, who was banned from all football activities for eight years by FIFA's ethics committee which also banned Michel Platini over a £1.35m payment between the pair

Blatter, with a plaster on his face, as he was bustled through a throng of cameras before the press conference

Blatter insisted only the FIFA congress could remove him as president, not the ethics committee

Michel Platini (pictured this month) and Blatter have been banned from all football activities for eight years

The charges found proven included offering and accepting gifts, conflict of interest, and violating their fiduciary duty to FIFA.

DISHEVELLED BLATTER AND HIS PLASTER FACE THE MUSIC Blatter looked disheveled as he got out of his chauffeur-driven car on Monday morning, accompanied by his daughter, Corinne, and media spokesman Thomas Renggli. He was wearing a plaster beneath his right eye, thought to be because of the removal of a mole. The 79-year-old was hospitalised in November after suffering what was described as a 'small emotional breakdown.' 'My brain and my heart are always fine, my body is letting me down,' he reportedly said. He said on Monday: 'I will not speak about my health (but) at a certain time, on November 1, without the big help of the medical department, we wouldn't be here.' Advertisement

Blatter has been fined £33,700 (50,000 Swiss francs), with UEFA president Platini fined £53,940 (80,000 Swiss francs).

The FIFA statement read: 'The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans Joachim Eckert has banned Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, for eight years and Mr Michel Platini, Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of FIFA and President of UEFA, for eight years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately.

'The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 (£1.35m) transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini.

'Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999.

'Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.'

The investigative arm had recommended lifetime bans after the undocumented consultancy fee Blatter paid Platini, nine years after the work was done.

Blatter and Platini had claimed the payment had been made following a verbal agreement between the pair when the Frenchman worked for Blatter from 1998 to 2002.

The explanation was rejected as 'not convincing' by the ethics committee, who added that the evidence has not been sufficient to secure charges of corruption.

Blatter arrives prior to his press conference to respond to the FIFA ethics committee's verdict in Zurich

Blatter said he was 'really sorry' that he was still a 'punching ball' and blamed everyone but himself

FIFA statement says Blatter found himself in situation of conflict of interest after payment in 2011

Independent Ethics Committee bans Blatter and Platini - Full statement The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans Joachim Eckert has banned Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, for eight years and Mr Michel Platini, Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of FIFA and President of UEFA, for eight years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately. The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini. Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber. The evidence available to the adjudicatory chamber in the present case was not sufficient to establish, to the extent required, that Mr Blatter sought the execution or omission of an official act from Mr Platini within the meaning of article 21 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE) (Bribery and corruption). However, the conduct of Mr Blatter towards Mr Platini without a legal basis constituted a breach of article 20 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits). Furthermore, Mr Blatter found himself in a situation of conflict of interest, despite which he continued to perform his related duties, failing to disclose said situation and the existence of personal interests linked to his prospective activities, thus violating article 19 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of interest). By failing to place FIFA's interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA's interests, Mr Blatter violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15 of the FCE (Loyalty). Mr Blatter's actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, failing to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA's regulatory framework to the extent applicable to him and demonstrating an abusive execution of his position as President of FIFA, hence violating article 13 of the FCE (General rules of conduct). In consequence, Mr Blatter has been banned for eight years from all football related activities and fined CHF 50,000. The investigation into the case of Mr Blatter was conducted by Mr Robert Torres, member of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee. The investigation resulted in a final report which was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20 November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the hearing of Mr Blatter took place in Zurich on 17 December 2015. The proceedings against Mr Platini primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 that he received in February 2011 from FIFA. The payment to Mr Platini had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. Mr Platini's assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber. Blatter paid Platini (right, also banned for eight years) an undocumented fee of £1.35million in 2011 The evidence available to the adjudicatory chamber in the present case was not sufficient to establish, to the extent required, that Mr Platini obtained the payment for the execution or omission of an official act within the meaning of article 21 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Bribery and corruption). Nevertheless, the conduct of Mr Platini without a legal basis constituted a breach of article 20 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits). Furthermore, Mr Platini found himself in a situation of conflict of interest, despite which he continued to perform his related duties, failing to disclose said situation and the existence of personal interests linked to his prospective activities in violation of article 19 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of interest). By failing to place FIFA's interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA's interests, Mr Platini also violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15 of the FCE (Loyalty). In addition, Mr Platini failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities. His actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, failing to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA's regulatory framework to the extent applicable to him and demonstrating an abusive execution of his position as Vice-President of FIFA and member of the FIFA Executive Committee, hence violating article 13 of the FCE (General rules of conduct). In consequence, Mr Platini has been banned for eight years from all football related activities and fined CHF 80,000. The investigation into the case of Mr Platini was conducted by Ms Vanessa Allard, member of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee. The investigation resulted in a final report which was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20 November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the hearing took place in Zurich on 18 December 2015 in the presence of Mr Platini's lawyers. Advertisement

Blatter, 79, arrived at FIFA's former headquarters in Zurich soon after 10am (local time), in a chauffeur-driven car accompanied by his daughter, Corinne, and media spokesman Thomas Renggli. He looked disheveled, wearing a plaster beneath his right eye, thought to be because of a removed mole, and did not comment to reporters as he was bustled through a throng of cameras.

He spoke at a news conference an hour later at FIFA's former headquarters. He hired it as a private citizen, but it still houses FIFA's marketing department.

Blatter said: 'I will fight for me and I will fight for FIFA. Suspended for eight years for what? I spoke with my lawyer this morning, who was not surprised the notification of the decision was first made to the media and later to those who should receive it. Communication in this ethics committee is an example of how you shall not do it.

'I am really sorry. I am sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball. I am sorry that as president of FIFA I am this punching ball. I am sorry for football. I am sorry for the 400 plus FIFA team members. I'm sorry about that. I am also sorry about me and about how I am treated in this world of humanitarian qualities.

'I am not ashamed even if I am suspended. I am still the president. The committee cannot go against the president.'

His last words after a spirited 52-minute performance holding court with international media were 'I'll be back, thank you.'

Both Blatter and Platini will be unable to run for FIFA presidency on February 26 and the decision brings a definitive end to their control of the sport

Platini, 60, had aimed to succeed Blatter as FIFA president in February's election but those hopes have effectively been ended. He boycotted his hearing last week in protest, claiming a decision already appeared to have been made. His lawyers attended, but it seems likely that Platini will also appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Platini said he was ‘at peace with my conscience’ and added: ‘The decision is no surprise to me. The procedure initiated against me by Fifa’s ethics committee is a pure masquerade.’

The £1.35m payment at the centre of the case was made to Platini in February 2011. The Frenchman and Blatter deny any wrongdoing and say the payment was honouring an agreement made in 1998 for work carried out between 1998 and 2002 when Platini worked as a technical advisor for the FIFA president.

The payment was not part of Platini's written contract but the pair insisted that it was a verbal agreement which is legal under Swiss law.

The timing of the payment raised eyebrows however - it took place nine years after Platini had stopped working for FIFA, and was made while Blatter was seeking support for a fourth term as president and facing a major challenge from Qatar's Mohamed Bin Hammam.

The payment was made less than a month after a meeting between Platini and Bin Hammam where it is reported that they discussed the presidency. Two months later, Platini and UEFA's executive committee endorsed Blatter's candidacy. Blatter and Platini say the payment was completely unconnected with the presidential elections.

Platini said he had not been paid the full amount agreed in 1998 because of FIFA's financial situation at the time.

TIMELINE OF CONTROVERSY THAT HAS ENGULFED THE GOVERNING BODY MAY 2002 After becoming FIFA president in 1998, Blatter seeks re-election four years later but his campaign is blighted by rumours of financial irregularities. DEC 2010 Blatter reveals Qatar will stage the 2022 World Cup. MAY 2011 After rival Mohammed bin Hammam withdraws from the presidential election amid allegations of bribery, Blatter runs unopposed and elected for a fourth term. APRIL 2013 FIFA's ethics committee concludes an investigation into bribery allegations surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Blatter is cleared of any wrongdoing. Blatter resigned as FIFA president in June this year, four days after being re-elected to a fifth term MAY 2015 Fourteen FIFA officials are arrested over 'rampant and systemic' corruption allegations. Blatter is urged to resign, despite not being implicated. He is again re-elected as FIFA president. JUNE 2015 Blatter announces his resignation as president, before Swiss newspaper Blick claims he did not actually resign. SEPTEMBER 2015 Swiss prosecutors open a criminal investigation into him. OCTOBER 2015 Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are provisionally banned for 90 days. NOVEMBER 2015 FIFA ethics committee investigations unit submit final case report and request that UEFA president Michel Platini is banned for life. DECEMBER 2015 Blatter and Platini are handed eight-year bans from all football activities by FIFA's ethics committee Advertisement

Blatter insists the late payment in 2011 followed an oral agreement with Platini, of which no record exists. He wrote to FIFA's 209 member associations protesting his innocence last week, saying he had been employed by FIFA for 40 years for and 'always performed my duties to the best of my knowledge and belief and at all times faced up to the challenges with respect'.

He continued in his news conference: 'You can identify me as an optimist. We thought we had convinced the panel with Mr Eckert in the chair about this situation which was created about the payment by FIFA and to Michel Platini for an on-going contract which was never terminated.

'We are in a so-called oral contract or gentleman's agreement and this was made in 1998 just after the World Cup in France where Mr Platini approached me, and I approached him because we were together there, and said he would like to work for FIFA.

'I said it is wonderful if you come to FIFA but he said 'I am a very expensive man' and I said that's OK but we cannot pay you now. What astonishes me now, if I am going through the decision today, is they deny the existence of such an agreement.'

Blatter and Platini both have strong motivation to fight the bans in fast-track appeal cases.

Blatter and Platini both have strong motivation to fight the bans in fast-track appeal cases

Gary Lineker tweeted on Monday: 'Deluded! I honestly think he believes the nonsense he spouts.'

Blatter, who turns 80 in March, wants a FIFA swansong by hosting the election congress in Zurich and being made honorary president by the 209 member federations.

60-year-old Platini wants to clear his name, pass a FIFA integrity check and be declared an official candidate in the election he had been favored to win.

Platini's campaign has stalled since being quizzed on September 25 in a Swiss federal investigation of suspected criminal mismanagement at FIFA.

Switzerland's attorney general has opened criminal proceedings against Blatter for the suspected 'disloyal payment' of FIFA money to Platini and selling undervalued World Cup TV rights for the Caribbean.

Platini's status in the criminal case is 'between a witness and an accused person,' attorney general Michael Lauber said in October.

Former Football Association chairman David Bernstein told BBC Radio Five Live that it signalled ‘the end’ for Blatter, adding: ‘He’s a drowning man. There’s no coming back from this. He will fight, but he is doomed. He is yesterday’s man. Blatter has presided over a corrupt organisation for many, many years. What an amateurish way this payment has been handled. Platini has been naive.’