Sports tribunal to rule on Platini appeal by May 9

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will rule on Michel Platini’s appeal against his six-year FIFA ban by May 9, the head of the Lausanne-based tribunal Mathieu Reeb said Friday.

Speaking outside the court as Platini’s day-long appeal hearing wrapped up, Reeb told journalists the initial verdict would include “simply a decision and the reasoning will come a little later.”

The suspended head of European football, banned from all football activities by FIFA judges over ethics violations in December, is waging his final fight for reinstatement.

UEFA has said it will not replace Platini until his appeals are exhausted.

The May 9 verdict date means UEFA will almost certainly not elect Platini’s replacement at the body’s congress in Budapest next week, as it would have done if CAS had ruled against the Frenchman.

If the ex-Juventus star is acquitted, he should be able to reclaim his UEFA post in time for the June 10 kick-off at Euro 2016, hosted by his native France.