Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched civil and criminal legal proceedings in France against FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, reviving a long-running dispute linked to the 2015 corruption scandal that reshaped football’s global leadership.
Platini argues that allegations made against him in 2015 damaged his chances of becoming FIFA president and ultimately prevented him from contesting the election that followed.
According to reports, the criminal complaints filed in Paris accuse Infantino, former FIFA legal director Marco Villiger, and former audit committee chairman Domenico Scala of misconduct, including alleged abuse of influence and initiating legal actions in bad faith.
Compensation claim filed against FIFA
In addition to the criminal proceedings, Platini has filed a separate civil lawsuit against FIFA seeking compensation for financial losses he says resulted from the events that led to his suspension from football administration.
Platini maintains that individuals within FIFA deliberately took actions aimed at preventing him from participating in the race for the organization’s presidency.
Dispute dates back to 2015 investigation
The controversy emerged in 2015 after details became public regarding a payment of 2 million Swiss francs made to Platini by FIFA.
The payment had been approved in 2011 by then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter. The disclosure led to ethics investigations and sanctions that sidelined Platini from football administration and effectively ended his bid for the FIFA presidency.
Following those developments, Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA president in 2016 and has remained in the role since then.
The latest legal action comes as preparations continue for the FIFA World Cup 2026, although FIFA and Infantino have not publicly responded to the new filings at the time of reporting.
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