ZURICH — Michel Platini's lawyers say he won't attend his FIFA ethics committee hearing Friday in protest as he believes his case has been pre-judged.
The lawyers say in a statement that the verdict "has already been announced last weekend in the press."
Though FIFA investigators have asked for a life ban to be imposed, Platini could reportedly escape with a ban of several years that would still effectively exile him and end his FIFA presidential ambitions.
Earlier Wednesday, FIFA ethics judges promised Platini a fair trial even if he does not attend.
The case centers on a potential rules-breaking conflict of interest when Platini got a $2 million payment from FIFA approved by Sepp Blatter in 2011 as backdated salary.