Sepp Blatter loses appeal at CAS against 6-year FIFA ban

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2015 file photo, FIFA President Sepp Blatter arrives for a news conference in Zurich, Switzerland. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is due to give its verdict Monday Dec. 5, 2016, on Blatter's appeal against a 6-year ban for approving a $2 million payment to Michel Platini in 2011. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Friday, May 29, 2015 file photo, FIFA president Sepp Blatter is greeted by UEFA President Michel Platini, right, after Blatter's re-election as president at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is due to give its verdict Monday Dec. 5, 2016, on Blatter's appeal against a 6-year ban for approving a $2 million payment to Michel Platini in 2011. (Patrick B. Kraemer/Keystone via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Tuesday, May 19, 2015 file photo, FIFA President Sepp Blatter attends a press conference in Jerusalem. The verdict in former FIFA President Sepp Blatter's appeal against a six-year ban for unethical conduct will be announced on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016.(AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov, file) (The Associated Press)

Sepp Blatter says he has lost his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a six-year ban by FIFA.

Blatter says in a statement it is "difficult" to accept but that "the way the case progressed, no other verdict could be expected."

The former FIFA president, who was banned for approving a $2 million payment to Michel Platini in 2011, says he will accept the decision.

Blatter could have appealed to Switzerland's supreme court. It can annul verdicts if legal process was abused.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport was judging whether Blatter was guilty of unethically offering a cash gift and conflict of interest.