Platini Sues FIFA and Infantino Over Corruption Claims

Michel Platini, the former UEFA president, has initiated civil and criminal legal proceedings against FIFA and its current president, Gianni Infantino, over allegations of corruption dating back to 2015. Platini claims that these actions obstructed his attempt to lead the world football governing body.

The 70-year-old former French captain filed a criminal complaint in a French court, accusing Infantino, former FIFA legal director Marco Villig, and former audit committee chair Domenico Scala of malicious prosecution. Separately, Platini seeks financial compensation from FIFA, alleging efforts were made to block his path to the FIFA presidency ahead of the 2016 elections.

Platini, who served as UEFA president from 2008 to 2015, was considered a favorite to succeed Sepp Blatter. However, his campaign collapsed amid allegations of a 2 million Swiss franc payment made to him in 2011, which was later authorized by Blatter and became central to a corruption investigation that rocked world football.

Platini faced an eight-year ban from football, later reduced to four years, imposed by FIFA's ethics committee.