Infantino ‘loves money and power’ and must go, says Platini

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to leave his position, accusing the Swiss-Italian football administrator of failing to uphold the rules of the game amid growing controversy surrounding world football’s governing body.

“Economic affairs are one thing, but Infantino has failed because he is the guarantor of the rules of the game and he didn’t respect them,” Platini told French media on Sunday.

“He’s the guarantor, he doesn’t respect them, he must go,” the former France international added.

Infantino, 56, has faced increasing criticism following FIFA’s abandoned plan to introduce private investment into its commercial events, including the World Cup.

The proposal, known as FIFA Forward Enterprises, triggered opposition from European football authorities and raised concerns about the commercialisation and governance of the sport.

Platini also criticised several decisions and arrangements at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

He questioned hydration breaks that were used during matches and criticised their association with advertising, while also objecting to the extended half-time interval during the final.

He further pointed to FIFA’s decision to suspend a red-card ban involving United States forward Folarin Balogun after a controversy surrounding a telephone conversation between Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The ad breaks are not in the rules, the 30-minute half-time break in the final is not in the rules, and the red card, that’s the worst,” Platini said.

Infantino, born in Brig, Switzerland, in 1970, is a Swiss-Italian football administrator who became FIFA president in February 2016 after previously serving as UEFA’s secretary-general.

He was re-elected in 2019 and again in 2023, when he secured another term without opposition.

His presidency has overseen an expansion of FIFA competitions, including the men's World Cup from 32 to 48 teams.

Platini, 71, is one of France’s most celebrated footballers.

Born in Joeuf in 1955, he played for Nancy, Saint-Etienne and Juventus before retiring from professional football in 1987.

He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and captained France to the 1984 European Championship title.

After moving into administration, Platini became UEFA president in 2007, succeeding Lennart Johansson.

He remained in the role until 2015, when a payment of $2 million from then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter became the subject of a corruption investigation.

Platini was eventually cleared of wrongdoing by a Swiss court in 2025, but the case had already ended his bid to succeed Blatter as FIFA president.

Infantino won the election in 2016.

Platini now says Infantino benefited from his downfall.

“He didn’t bring me down, he benefitted from it,” Platini said.

UEFA has since increased pressure on FIFA over its proposed private investment strategy, while other confederations have also expressed concerns.

Platini said legal action could ultimately determine Infantino’s future.

“It won’t be sporting institutions that sort this out and bring him down. If UEFA want to bring down Infantino, it will be through the courts.”, he said

Platini is also suing Infantino and two former FIFA officials in France, seeking compensation over what he describes as efforts to prevent him from becoming FIFA president in 2015.