Kattner challenges FIFA sacking – source tells AFP

Zurich (AFP) – FIFA’s disgraced former secretary general Markus Kattner has begun legal action to challenge his “unjustified” sacking, a source close to the German told AFP on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old, who was also FIFA’s financial chief, was fired with immediate effect on May 23 after the discovery of a secret bonus scheme that paid out millions of dollars over a period of years.

Football’s scandal-plagued ruling body revealed in June that former president Sepp Blatter, ex-secretary general Jerome Valcke and his successor Kattner had skimmed off $80 million in “a coordinated effort” to “enrich themselves” between 2011 and 2015.

“Mr Kattner has begun legal proceedings before the competent court in Zurich as he believes his dismissal to be unfair,” a source close to Blatter’s former right-hand man told AFP.

“Since his dismissal in May, Mr. Kattner has not received any reason from FIFA justifying his dismissal without notice,” the source continued, adding that the payments that the German had received were “compliant with FIFA’s code and approved by the compensation committee”.

Contacted by AFP, FIFA said they had “not received any information” concerning the action taken by Kattner at the labour court in Zurich.