Overview
- In an interview published Thursday, Michel Platini says Gianni Infantino has “become autocratic since the pandemic.”
- Platini argues Infantino was an effective deputy at UEFA but “not a good number one” who favors the rich and powerful.
- He contends FIFA is “less democratic than in Blatter’s time,” while casting Sepp Blatter as ultimately beneficial to the sport despite wanting to stay in power.
- Platini claims he was destined to lead FIFA and describes his suspension as a political act and a grave injustice.
- Swiss courts definitively cleared Blatter and Platini in 2025 over a 2 million Swiss franc payment, and Platini later filed a defamation complaint against three former FIFA officials.