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FIFA former president Blatter attends hearing in Lausanne

Xinhua, August 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

FIFA former president Sepp Blatter Thursday attended a hearing in Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, in his final attempt to overturn the six-year ban imposed on him by FIFA.

Blatter told reporters that he will accept the verdict before heading into the court.

"I do hope it will be positive for me, but we are footballers. We learn to win but also we learn to lose," the 80-year-old said, denying any wrongdoings related to a payment of 2 million Swiss francs (2.07 million U.S. dollars) transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to president of UEFA Michel Platini.

Last December, the FIFA ethics committee banned Blatter and Platini for eight years from all football-related activities. FIFA's appeal committee shortened the two officials' bans to six years.

The CAS indicated it will take weeks to make the final decision.

The body lowered the suspension of Platini from six to four years in May this year. Endit