Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa boss Michel Platini have been suspended for eight years from all football-related activities following an ethics investigation.
They were found guilty of breaches surrounding a £1.3m ($2m) “disloyal payment” made to Platini in 2011.
The Fifa ethics committee found Blatter and Platini had demonstrated an “abusive execution” of their positions.
“I will fight for me and for Fifa,” Blatter, 79, said at a news conference.
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Everything you need to know about the bans for Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa boss Michel Platini
Platini said the decision was a “masquerade” intended to “dirty” his name.
Both men continue to deny wrongdoing and intend to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Swiss Blatter and 60-year-old Frenchman Platini have also been fined £33,700 ($50,000) and £54,000 ($80,000) respectively.
Despite the ban, both Blatter and Platini will be allowed to attend matches – including Euro 2016 in France – if they buy tickets in a private capacity.
Fifa boss since 1998, Blatter had already announced he was quitting with a presidential election in February.
Platini was tipped as a future leader of football’s world governing body and is a three-time European Footballer of the Year.
He is also a former captain of France and has been in charge of Uefa – European football’s governing body – since 2007.
Fifa ethics statement – key points
The payment made in February 2011 had “no legal basis” in the contract signed by both men when Platini started working for Blatter on 25 August, 1999.
Both men’s explanation that there was an “oral agreement” over the payment was rejected as “not convincing”.
Blatter’s actions did not show “commitment to an ethical attitude”, and both men were found to be in “a conflict of interest”.
Platini also failed to act with “complete credibility and integrity” and showed “unawareness of the importance of his duties”.
The committee said there was “not sufficient evidence” to establish the payment was a bribe, but both men demonstrated an “abusive execution” of their positions.
Blatter – ‘I will fight’
Go thru Sepp!!U have been football’s modern day Robin hood for if it weren’t for u the Caribbean,asia,Australiasia n Africa would never be developed football wise.The rich more corrupt Europeans want the wealth n all things for demselves!!Big up Sepp,u never thieve fi urself!!