Paris
Former French football star Michel Platini has launched a fierce attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, describing him as “a good second man but not a good president.”
Platini, who previously headed UEFA, stated in an interview that while Infantino was effective as his secretary at UEFA, he is not qualified to lead FIFA. He pointed out that Infantino’s personal nature leads him to favor the wealthy and powerful.
The former UEFA president added that FIFA under Sepp Blatter was more democratic compared to the current situation, believing that Blatter’s only flaw was his constant desire to remain in power. He also accused Infantino of “hijacking” the FIFA presidency from him, asserting that a group of people prevented him from succeeding Blatter, which disrupted his administrative career.
Platini touched on potential corruption allegations, suggesting he suspects Infantino reported a suspicious €1.8 million payment from FIFA to Swiss authorities to hinder Platini’s candidacy for the FIFA presidency in 2015.
Platini’s statements come as part of sharp criticism of the current FIFA president, accusing him of bias towards the wealthy and marginalizing democratic principles within world football’s governing body.
Paris
Paris is the capital of France, historically founded as the Roman town of Lutetia in the 3rd century BC. It is globally renowned as a center for art, fashion, and culture, home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
FIFA
FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the international governing body for association football, founded in Paris in 1904 to oversee international competition. It is best known for organizing the FIFA World Cup, a global tournament first held in 1904.
UEFA
UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) is the administrative and governing body for association football in Europe, founded in 1954 in Basel, Switzerland. It organizes premier club competitions like the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA European Championship for national teams, playing a central role in developing and regulating the sport across the continent.
Swiss
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a federal republic in Central Europe known for its long history of neutrality and direct democracy, formally established with the Federal Constitution of 1848. Its cultural identity is deeply rooted in its multilingual composition—German, French, Italian, and Romansh—and its tradition of cantonal autonomy dating back to the foundational alliance of three cantons in 1291. The country is globally recognized for its Alpine landscapes, banking sector, and political stability.
