Sepp Blatter Appeals FIFA Suspension: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has appealed his 90-day ban levied upon him by FIFA's independent ethics committee, according to Sam Borden of the New York Times.

The newspaper obtained a copy of the appeal, in which Blatter's legal team "demands the opportunity to see the case file the ethics committee reviewed during its proceedings—a request that reflects a belief that the ethics committee’s decision was based almost entirely on the fact that the Swiss attorney general’s office has recently opened an investigation into Mr. Blatter."

His legal team argued FIFA should presume Blatter's innocence, especially given the possibility of the Swiss investigation ultimately being dropped. His legal team also demanded a hearing to argue for the innocence of its client.

Michel Platini—FIFA's vice president and the head of UEFA—and Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general, were also suspended for 90 days. Platini is also expected to appeal.

Soccer's worldwide operating body continues to see its leadership sent in disarray. This spring, 14 FIFA officials were arrested in a joint investigation between the Swiss and United States authorities, and most recently, former FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-joon was suspended for six years for violating FIFA's ethics code, per Borden.     

The organization appears to be headed for a full overhaul, with many of its most powerful officials either suspended or under investigation. Blatter—who in June told reporters he would step down as president once a new election was held sometime between December and March—has likely served his final days as FIFA's president. 

Were his appeal denied and he served his 90-day suspension, Blatter would return to his role as president in January—right around the time he had already promised to step down from his post.