Blatter hopes for quick return

Blatter hopes for quick return

LONDON, AP:

Suspended and shamed, Sepp Blatter is still hoping to return to power as FIFA president within the next 10 days.

Blatter was banned for 90 days on Thursday, essentially ending his 17-year reign as the leader of soccer's governing body.

Klaus Stoehlker, a close associate of Blatter, told The Associated Press yesterday that the Swiss official is aiming to be back at work very soon.

"He has made an appeal and everybody hopes there will be a decision in the next 10 days," Stoehlker said.

"He is very, very tough ... he is sure he will have the right to be back. He doesn't feel he is out of the job. That's a huge misunderstanding."

Both Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini were given 90-day bans in the wake of a Swiss criminal case investigating financial misconduct at FIFA.

appealed

Blatter has lodged an appeal, his lawyers said yesterday, and has asked for the ethics committee to release the reasons for the suspension. Platini has also said he will fight the decision.

Even if Blatter's appeal fails, he could be back to work before the emergency presidential election scheduled for February 26. Platini, however, would likely be forced out of the running to succeed Blatter if his

expected appeal fails.