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The World at One

Of all the voices reacting to Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, there's been very few speaking out in their defence. Patrick Nelson,the Irish FA chief executive, has done so. 

"We have to bear in mind that Mr Blatter and Mr Platini have a right to due process. The decision has come out today and both have been banned for eight years but both have ways forward in appealing. We need to give them that freedom. 

"I think it's a complex matter. We haven't see what evidence the ethics committee has been able to review." 

Nelson was also asked who his association would be backing in February's presidential elections...

"We're still evaluating. We don't want to rush to judgement. There are five candidates out there who have been cleared by Fifa's electoral committee and we are considering our options."

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Let us know your reaction using #bbcsportsday, external on Twitter, or text us on 81111 (UK only, and please include a name).

The massive news of the day all wrapped up in 60 seconds. Go on and give it a whirl...

Although I don't think it explains the Nelly tribute...

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Michel Platini is not one for pulling his punches.

Here's more reaction to the Fifa executive committee's decision to ban him and Sepp Blatter from all football-related activity for eight years. 

"This decision does not surprise me," the Frenchman said. 

"I am convinced that my fate was sealed before the hearing of December 18 and that this verdict is just a pathetic cover-up for a desire to eliminate me from the world of football. 

 "On the football field and in the exercise of my mandates, my behavior has always been irreproachable."

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I've said it before and I'll say it again - Blatter was on similarly scintillating form this morning. 

Scroll down to about 10:00 for the choice lines of a bizarre hour inside Sepp's mind.

Asked if Fifa can reform itself, former Sports Minister Richard Caborn added: “We've had this with the International Olympic Committee. Seb Coe will be successful in setting the benchmark of governance of an international sporting body.

"I’m convinced Seb will do that. I think the opportunity for Fifa is there.

"What we need to look at is how we can make international governing bodies for sport accountable? They haven’t been but sport has a great opportunity to put that right.

"Whoever takes the Fifa presidency will have that opportunity. They will have the eyes of the world on them. The rest of it will be history”.

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A few more words coming in now on Michel Platini's reaction to his eight-year ban - confirming he will appeal Fifa's decision. 

The Frenchman also said he is "at peace with my conscience". 

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We've already had a lot of reaction from Sepp Blatter today - who was also banned for eight years by Fifa's ethics committee. 

Scroll down for the whole cabaret...

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Reaction coming thick and fast to Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini's eight-year bans from football.

The latest to air an  opinion is former Sports Minister Richard Caborn, who described it as "a good day for football".

He adds: "All the rhetoric clearly shows that this Fifa is not fit for purpose.

"It now has a great opportunity to elect a new president who is going to bring in a system that is transparent, accountable, democratically controlled and can deliver for the grassroots, the TV companies and the sponsors. That is the opportunity they've got.

"Well over half of the executive committee have been expelled, you’ve got cases going on in the US and in Switzerland and the ethics committee have come out with the decision that they are guilty.

"They [Blatter and Platini] can appeal, that’s absolutely right but the organisation is far, far bigger than one or two individuals. Football is important to a lot of young people around the world who want to see an organisation that is fit for purpose”.

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Ronnie: Mr Blatter and Mr Platini should accept the decision and go gracefully. Whatever the outcome of an appeal they are tainted and are doing Fifa nothing but harm. Independent governance and sweeping reform is required. It will be a long time before the football world can trust this organisation to uphold the values that our beautiful game holds dear. 

Let us know your reaction using #bbcsportsday, external on Twitter, or text us on 81111 (UK only, and please include a name).

If you hadn't already seen the really sad news, former Newcastle goalkeeper Srnicek is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest in his native Czech Republic.

We said we hadn't heard anything from Michel Platini on Fifa's decision to ban him and Sepp Blatter for eight years - well here he is now. 

In a statement to Agence France Presse he described the decision as a "masquerade" intended to "dirty" his name. 

"As well as going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I am determined to apply to civil courts to obtain damages for all the prejudice I have suffered over these very long weeks," the Frenchman added. 

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

Bolton have launched an internal investigation after allegations were made about manager Neil Lennon's private life in the Sunday Mirror.

Championship club Bolton - who earlier this month were served with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill and are without a win since September - have confirmed that they are looking into the reports.

"In response to an article published in the Sunday Mirror, Bolton can confirm that the club are currently conducting an internal investigation regarding the matter concerned," a statement on the club's website.

"The club will be making no further comment at this moment in time."

We've just had confirmation that former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek is in critical condition in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

According to information received by his agent Steve Wraith, the 47-year-old collapsed while out jogging on Sunday.

"I spoke to his sister-in-law in the Czech Republic who said his heart had stopped," Wraith told BBC Sport.

"He is in critical condition in hospital and remains unconscious."

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Here's Clive Efford MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Sport, with his viewon the suspension of Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini.

“It is clear that there is no prospect of Fifa being reformed by anyone associated with the old regime," Efford said.

“Fifa needs new leadership and should place itself in administration under a body led by someone with no history of involvement in its corrupt past to clean up its reputation.

"This is the only chance left of restoring credibility to the governance of world football.”

BBC Radio 5 Live

Here's some more from former FA chairman David Bernstein on the news Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been banned from football for eight years.

Asked if he is satisfied with the Fifa ethics committee's procedures, Bernstein says: “Not totally. There’s a bit of a kangaroo court feel about some of this. Perhaps more relevant for Platini than Blatter because there’s a distinction between the two.

"Blatter has presided over a corrupt organisation for many, many years. The Swiss authorities and US authorities are after him… he’ll get what he deserves.

"Platini is very different. He’s presided over a very straight organisation. Uefa is not mired by corruption. Platini has got wrapped up with Blatter, he’s got too close to him. What an amateurish way this payment has been handled. It makes you feel Platini has been naïve”.

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So good has Watford striker Odion Ighalo been this season that Hornets boss Quique Flores has been having to dismiss speculation he's set to move on in the January transfer window...

"I think Ighalo is completely clever, he chose five months ago the option to stay here with Watford," said Flores. 

"He chose to stay here because he imagined something special for him. He knew perfectly it was the best option for him. 

"I think he'll finish the season with Watford, after that anybody knows."

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Hang on a moment... we've not even mentioned Sunday's Premier League action yet.

There were two games and there is no doubt which provided the biggest talking points. I watched it, and Liverpool were not good.

Watford continued their impressive start to life in the top flight and gave Jurgen Klopp a nasty shock with a comprehensive 3-0 win over the Reds.

Nathan Ake struck early after keeper Adam Bogdan - making his league debut - dropped a corner, and Odion Ighalo added two more.

Defeat for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who are now without a win in their last three league games, leaves them ninth - four points behind Quique Flores' side up in seventh.

Image source, PA

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former FA Chairman David Bernstein has been talking to BBC Radio 5 live, giving his opinion on the eight-year bans handed to Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini - and specifically Blatter's earlier news conference. And what he says is pretty damning.

“He knows all the tricks doesn't he," says Bernstein.

"He’s a real performer and a real fighter but at the end of the day he’s either one of the world’s greatest cynics or he’s in some sort of denial. Perhaps a bit of both.

"As always a master of confusion…..he throws so many things into it, some of them may be partly valid I don’t know, but it’s quite a performance.

"He’s a drowning man really, there’s no coming back from this. He will fight but he is doomed. He is yesterday’s man.”

Image source, EPA

Some very sad reports coming in from the Czech Republic. 

The former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has reportedly suffered a heart attack, and has been admitted to hospital in "critical condition", according to Czech media outlet iDnes., external

Newcastle paper the Evening Chronicle, external is reporting the same news. Our thoughts, too, are with Pavel and his family. 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Exeter have announced the signing of Australia international prop Greg Holmes.

Holmes, 32, has agreed a two-year deal with the Premiership club and will join them in time for next season from Super Rugby side Queensland Reds.

Holmes was part of Australia's 2015 World Cup squad and has won 24 caps.