It all began in May when seven of FIFA’s top executives were arrested in Zurich, Switzerland on corruption charges. Almost seven months later, current FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini have been slapped with an eight-year ban by FIFA’s ethics committee.

After 40 years of service with football’s top organization, 17 of which were spent as president, the 79-year old Blatter, along with Platini, was said to have been exiled by FIFA for an alleged two million Swiss franc (£1.35 million) payment, which is now the subject of criminal investigation.

While the two men have already claimed that they will appeal the case with FIFA’s appeals committee and the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), it is Platini that is most directly affected by the ban. The Frenchman was tabbed as Blatter’s protege and set to replace the latter as FIFA’s president in the coming February 2016 election.

Barring the ruling being overturned, five men will represent the running field in next year’s election, and include Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salaman, and Tokyo Sexwale.

Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Monday morning:

MARQUEZ RETURNS TO ATLAS AFTER DECORATED CAREER

It’s not very often a player gets to finish their career where they began it, particularly one as memorable as that of Rafael Marquez.

On Sunday night, Mexican club Atlas announced the return of their once-prized possession after Marquez started his life as a footballer with them over 20 years ago.

After coming up in the ranks of Atlas’ youth program in the 1990s, Marquez was a member of the first-team squad from 1996 to 1999, before truly making his name in Europe with Ligue 1 side Monaco and La Liga giants Barcelona. In his time with the Blaugrana, the 36-year old was part of four La Liga titles, one FIFA Club World Cup crown, and two UEFA Champions League titles.

Following a long stint in Europe, the once-center midfielder turned center back came to the United States, signing with the New York Red Bulls in 2010, along with the likes of France’s Thierry Henry. Marquez then moved to Mexican side León before returning to Europe briefly with Hellas Verona in Italy.

Marquez also shone as Mexican national team captain during his club-playing career, bringing El Tri two CONCACAF Gold Cups, a FIFA Confederations Cup title in 1999, and most recently a CONCACAF Cup victory over the U.S. Men’s National Team, which sends his country to the 2017 Confederations Cup.

FRONTZECK QUITS AS HANOVER MANAGER

Relegation side Hanover will be seeking a new manager to revive their current Bundesliga woes after Michael Frontzeck resigned on Monday morning.

Despite only falling by a single goal to league leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday, the German club currently sits 17th in the Bundesliga table. The loss against Bayern gave Hanover its third consecutive league loss.

Frontzeck’s term as manager was short-lived after only taking over the troubled side in April. The 51-year old only coached five matches at the end of the team’s 2014-15 campaign, but Frontzeck was able to save the club from relegation, finishing in 13th place and just two points above the drop zone.

“We achieved something great in the past season. It was only possible because we all joined forces and everybody supported the team and the coaching staff,” Frontzeck said.

QUICK KICKS:

19-year old midfielder Marko Grujic has agreed to a five-year deal with Liverpool. (REPORT)

Former Manchester City player Elano was arrested Sunday on suspicion of assault. (REPORT)

Manchester United has contacted ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho over the potential of replacing the struggling Louis Van Gaal. (REPORT)

Jamie Vardy’s hamstring injury sustained in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Everton isn’t considered serious by Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri. (REPORT)