Sepp Blatter was at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an effort to have his six-year ban from football overturned.

The former head of FIFA was given the punishment over a non-disclosed transaction worth about U.S.$2 million given to the former head of European football, Michel Platini. Platini has also been handed the same ban, and was unable to get his penalty overturned.

The proceedings started at 8 a.m. local time Thursday, and one of the first to emerge was Platini. The Frenchman was one of the key men to testify.

The tribunal listened to lots of testimony as the case lasted for about 15 hours, with Blatter leaving the premises around 11 p.m. The Swiss has denied anywrongdoing in the case, and is trying to clear his name.

The 80-year-old, who ran FIFA for close to 20 years, says the payment in question was legal in Switzerland, where it took place. Before being whisked away in a waiting vehicle, Blatter spoke about the court case, but gave no specifics. 

“It was a long day because there across examination of the witnesses we have brought, and later on also the plaidoyer advocacy took a long time. But finally the day started at 8 a.m. and we are at 11 p.m., practically,” he said.

“It was a long day for all those who participated but it was especially a long day for me because I was the central person therein.”