An independent Ethics Committee has suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) boss Michel Platini for eight years from all football-related activities.

The bans are effective immediately, the committee said.

In a statement, the international football governing body confirmed that “the proceedings against Mr. Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF2 million (£1.34 million) transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr. Platini. Mr. Blatter, in his position as president of FIFA, authorized the payment to Mr. Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999.”

The two men claimed the money was payment for work that Platini carried out during his stint as a technical adviser for Blatter between 1998 and 2002. The payment, however, was not part of Platini’s written contract, but both said it was a verbal agreement, which is legal under Swiss law.