Michel Platini, the former president of European football’s governing body UEFA, has launched a scathing critique of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, describing him as increasingly autocratic. In an interview with The Guardian on Thursday, Platini suggested that Infantino now favours the wealthy and powerful, prioritising their interests over democratic governance within the global football organisation.
Platini stated, “He was a good number two, but not a good number one. He performed well at UEFA, but he has a clear preference for rich and influential individuals. That is part of his character.” He added, “Even when he was second-in-command, this was evident. Back then, however, he was not the boss.”
The former French international also believes that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, making Infantino even more autocratic. “Unfortunately, after the pandemic, Infantino has become more dictatorial,” Platini said.
Concerns have also been raised regarding Infantino’s international alliances. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Infantino has cultivated a close relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump. In a controversial move, he introduced a special FIFA Peace Award, which was presented to Trump at the World Cup draw last December.
Infantino assumed the FIFA presidency in 2016, succeeding Sepp Blatter, who had been embroiled in corruption scandals. According to Platini, Infantino’s leadership style has made FIFA less democratic than it was under Blatter. “Compared with Blatter’s era, there is now less democracy. Blatter’s main flaw was his desire to remain in FIFA for life. Yet he genuinely loved football,” Platini remarked.
He also questioned the commitment of current football administrators. “Those running football today are merely doing a job. Whether it’s football or basketball, it does not necessarily mean they care about the sport. Working at UEFA or FIFA does not automatically mean you love football,” he said.
Platini has been a long-standing critic of Infantino, accusing him of obstructing Swiss prosecutors’ investigations into unreported payments. He claims that Infantino impeded attempts to expose the undeclared two million Swiss francs Platini received during Blatter’s tenure.
Key Criticisms of Infantino by Platini
| Issue | Platini’s Observation | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Autocratic leadership | Increasingly favours powerful and wealthy | Reduced democracy within FIFA |
| Past record | Good number two at UEFA, but unsuitable as president | Leadership effectiveness questioned |
| Pandemic impact | Post-COVID-19 behaviour more dictatorial | Governance worsened |
| International relations | Close ties with political figures (e.g., Donald Trump) | Potential conflict of interest |
| Commitment to football | Current administrators may lack passion | Risk of bureaucratic governance |
| Transparency issues | Obstructed investigations into undisclosed payments | Credibility of leadership questioned |
Platini’s comments underscore persistent concerns over governance and transparency in football’s highest echelons, reigniting debates about the direction of FIFA under Infantino’s stewardship.