Former UEFA chief Michel Platini sharply criticises FIFA President Gianni Infantino, claiming the global football body has grown increasingly autocratic under his leadership.
In a candid interview with The Guardian on Thursday, Platini described Infantino as “more authoritarian than ever,” asserting that the FIFA president favours the wealthy and influential.
“He was a good number two, but not a good number one,” Platini said, reflecting on Infantino’s tenure at UEFA before taking charge of FIFA. “At UEFA, he did excellent work. But there was always a problem: he preferred the wealthy and powerful—those with money. It’s part of his character.”
Platini emphasised that even before assuming the presidency, Infantino displayed these tendencies. “Even as number two, he was like this. But back then, he was not the boss,” he noted.
The former French midfielder believes the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation. “Unfortunately, after the pandemic, Infantino has become even more autocratic,” he added.
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has already seen Infantino forging close ties with former US President Donald Trump. FIFA recently introduced a special “FIFA Peace Award,” which was controversially presented to Trump during the December World Cup draw ceremony.
Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter in 2016 following the latter’s corruption scandal. However, according to Platini, Infantino’s presidency has reduced FIFA’s democratic nature compared with Blatter’s era. “There is less democracy now than under Blatter. You can say what you want about Blatter, but at least he loved football and was a good person for the game. His main flaw was wanting to stay in FIFA for life,” Platini said.
He also questioned the motives of current football administrators more broadly: “Those running football today are just doing their jobs. Whether it’s football or basketball, it doesn’t matter to them. Working at UEFA or FIFA doesn’t necessarily mean you love the sport.”
Platini has long been a critic of Infantino. He also accused him of obstructing Swiss prosecutors investigating the undeclared two million Swiss francs received by Platini from Blatter, a controversy that shadowed Infantino’s early days as FIFA president.
Key Controversies Under Infantino’s Leadership
| Issue | Details | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Autocratic Leadership | Prefers powerful and wealthy figures | Reduced transparency in FIFA decisions |
| COVID-19 Impact | Pandemic worsened leadership style | Increased centralisation of authority |
| 2026 World Cup Ties | Close relationship with Donald Trump | Raised questions of political influence |
| FIFA Peace Award | Awarded to Trump | Criticism for politicisation of FIFA initiatives |
| Obstruction Allegations | Alleged interference in Swiss investigation | Questions over governance integrity |
Platini’s critique underscores a growing debate over governance and democracy in world football, highlighting tensions between FIFA’s leadership and the broader football community.