Football: Blatter files appeal against Fifa ban, demands to see case file against him

Sepp Blatter delivering a speech ahead of the preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Jul 25, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

ZURICH (Reuters) - Sepp Blatter has filed an official appeal against his suspension from soccer by Fifa's ethics committee, the New York Times reported.

Blatter, who has been president of the global soccer body Fifa since 1998, was suspended on Thursday by its ethics committee.

The 79-year-old is currently facing a Swiss criminal investigation.

The New York Times said it had obtained a copy of Blatter's appeal.

In it, the paper reported that he objected to brusque and unfair treatment.

Blatter's legal team also demanded to see the ethics committee's case file and sought a hearing to argue their case in full.

In the immediate aftermath of the suspension, Blatter's lawyers said in a statement that he was looking forward to presenting evidence that will prove he did not engage in any misconduct.

The Swiss Attorney General said on Sept 25 it had opened a criminal investigation into Blatter concerning a payment from Fifa to Michel Platini in 2011 and a Caribbean television rights deal.

Blatter told a German magazine this week that the Swiss criminal investigation against him was "not correct".

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.