Former FIFA and UEFA presidents Joseph Blatter and Michel Platini, respectively, began trial today in a Bellinzona court in Switzerland on suspicion of fraud, mismanagement, abuse of trust and falsification of documents.

According to Lusa, the trial of Blatter, who led FIFA between 1998 and 2015, now 86, and Platini, UEFA president between 2007 and 2016 and a 'star' in the 1980s of the French national team and Juventus, 66, is expected to run until June 22, with sentencing expected by July 8.

Blatter and Platini are suspected of having arranged the illicit payment of two million Swiss francs (1.8 million euros) from FIFA to UEFA's then head of state.

Platini allegedly received the amount in 2011 for his services as an advisor to Blatter between 1998 and 2002. Both men justified such a time-diluted payment on the grounds that FIFA's finances at the time did not allow for remuneration as high as that agreed between Blatter and Platini.

The case has already been tried in the sports courts, with Blatter, who resigned as FIFA president in 2015, suspended for six years from all football-related activities for "abuse of position," "conflict of interest," and "mismanagement," and Platini receiving a four-year punishment.

Under Swiss law, simple fraud has a criminal framework of up to five years in prison or a monetary punishment.