Platini, che attacco a Infantino! E quella…
Voting is set for March, and the current FIFA president, who has shrewdly won over <a href="https://absafricatv.com/asean-africa-lead-indias-export-growth-in-first-2-months-of-fy27/” title=”ASEAN, Africa lead India’s export growth in first 2 months of FY27″>African and Asian nations and Donald Trump, now faces a challenge from the Frenchman’s lawsuit, a conviction (later overturned) that helped him rise to power in 2016.
What political opponents failed to achieve, sidelined by Gianni Infantino’s astute manoeuvres – particularly the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, significantly boosting slots for Asia and Africa, which became his key electoral strongholds – a court might yet accomplish. And the individual who should have taken his place at the helm of FIFA, Michel Platini, could now be instrumental in bringing an end to Infantino’s ‘reign’, as the incumbent shows no sign of relinquishing his post.
NEW ELECTIONS
Infantino was first elected in February 2016, taking over from Blatter, who had been engulfed by the FIFA scandal in May 2015. The former head of world football was subsequently banned from all activities for six years and eight months for ‘various violations of the ethics code’, following an investigation launched by the Swiss judiciary. Platini, who had harboured ambitions of succeeding Blatter, was also penalised, accused of ‘fraud’. He received a three-month suspension from the FIFA Ethics Committee due to ‘suspicious payments’ – a claim later debunked – for receiving two million Swiss francs from Blatter as compensation for consultancy work undertaken between 1999 and 2002. Ordinary justice, however, took a significantly different path from its sporting counterpart. Platini was acquitted in 2018 and again by the Federal Criminal Court of Bellinzona in 2022 (alongside Blatter). By then, it was too late to halt Infantino, who was already firmly entrenched at FIFA’s helm.
AND NOW
New FIFA elections are scheduled for March. Infantino, as previously noted, was appointed as the top official – with Platini sidelined – in February 2016, and subsequently re-elected in both 2019 and 2023. Despite a decade at the helm, he intends to continue, and the political manoeuvres he has employed over the years to consolidate power have deterred any potential challengers. The most recent example is his strong alliance with Donald Trump, whose every desire he has seemingly fulfilled: from awarding him a peace prize to authorising tonight’s World Cup trophy presentation to the victorious team, and even overturning Balogun’s disqualification at the US President’s request. However, a significant challenge to his reign, which has been opposed by UEFA among others, could now come from Platini himself. While Platini has no intention of running for election, he is determined to seek justice for what he endured, specifically his ‘forced’ resignation as UEFA president on 9 May 2016, and all subsequent events.
THE TRUTH
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner has filed a civil lawsuit against Infantino, alleging ‘slander’ and ‘influence peddling’. This marks his third attempt, following previous actions in 2018 and 2021 that failed to achieve the Frenchman’s desired outcomes (the first case was deemed time-barred; the second request was rejected last October). Platini also plans to launch legal proceedings against FIFA to seek compensation for damages incurred. He has no desire to return to the football world but, as he declared in March, aims to ‘prevent those who harmed me from moving forward’. Will he succeed before the FIFA elections in March? A conviction against Infantino could certainly derail his seemingly inevitable bid for a fourth consecutive term.
This article was originally written in Italian by La Gazzetta dello Sport editor. The English version has been generated using AI translation tools. If you notice any translation errors or have suggestions, please contact us at iniziativegazzetta@rcs.it
