Gianni Infantino Faces Criminal Complaint Ahead of 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is at the center of a criminal complaint filed by his former UEFA counterpart, Michel Platini, just days before the commencement of the 2026 World Cup.

Platini, a celebrated French football figure and three-time Ballon d’Or winner, was once viewed as the frontrunner to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016. However, his prospects were derailed by an ethics investigation into a controversial multi-million-pound payment he received from Blatter five years earlier.

At the age of 70, Platini faced an eight-year ban from FIFA’s ethics committee in 2015, although this penalty was later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Both Platini and Blatter were subjected to criminal proceedings regarding the disputed funds. They achieved their first acquittal from a Swiss federal court in 2022, followed by a definitive clearance from an appeals court in 2025.

Platini’s legal team has now confirmed that they are initiating legal action in Paris against Infantino and two former FIFA officials: legal director Marco Villiger and head of auditing and compliance Domenico Scala.

According to Platini’s lawyer Olivier Baratelli, the criminal complaint alleges that Infantino, Villiger, and Scala conspired to prevent Platini from running for the FIFA presidency. Infantino is specifically accused of being ‘first and foremost’ responsible for orchestrating Platini’s exclusion.

© Imago.

Platini Launches Legal Action Against FIFA Over Corruption Allegations

In addition to his complaint against Infantino, Platini is also suing FIFA for financial damages. He claims that football’s governing body deliberately devised a scheme to obstruct him from succeeding Blatter.

Infantino served as UEFA’s general secretary under Platini before being elected as FIFA president a decade ago, a role he has maintained since then.

The allegations come just days before Mexico opens the 2026 World Cup against South Africa on Thursday, intensifying scrutiny on Infantino and FIFA as they prepare for a newly expanded tournament featuring 48 teams co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Infantino is scheduled to address the media on Wednesday, just before the kickoff of FIFA’s largest international football tournament. Multiple news organizations have sought comments from FIFA regarding Platini’s legal actions but have yet to receive an official response.