SUMMARY
Former UEFA president Michel Platini has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to leave his position, arguing that Infantino has failed to respect football's rules and has become too focused on money and power. Platini's criticism comes as Infantino faces growing opposition over proposed private investment plans, controversial decisions and concerns about FIFA's leadership.
PLATINI CALLS FOR INFANTINO TO LEAVE FIFA — Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched one of the strongest public attacks yet on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, saying the current FIFA chief "must go" as pressure continues to build around his leadership.
Platini made the comments during an interview in France, criticizing Infantino's handling of FIFA and accusing him of failing to respect the rules that he is supposed to protect.
The comments come at a difficult moment for Infantino, who is facing increasing criticism from football officials, former players and parts of the international football community.
Platini Says Infantino Has Failed
Platini argued that FIFA's president has a responsibility to protect the rules and values of football.
Instead, he said, Infantino has failed in that responsibility.
Platini was particularly critical of decisions made during the 2026 World Cup and the growing influence of commercial and political interests around FIFA.
He also accused his former UEFA colleague of having a strong desire for money and power.
The criticism is especially significant because Platini previously worked closely with Infantino when Platini was president of UEFA and Infantino served as UEFA's general secretary.
Infantino Faces Growing Pressure
Platini's comments come after several weeks of mounting opposition to Infantino.
European football leaders have questioned his leadership, while football organisations outside Europe have also raised concerns about some of FIFA's recent decisions.
European Leagues president Claudius Schaefer recently said Infantino should have no future at FIFA, arguing that major decisions had been taken without sufficient consultation with football stakeholders.
Former players have also called for changes at the top of world football.
The criticism has created an unusually broad debate about whether FIFA needs a change in leadership.
The Private Investment Controversy
One of the biggest sources of tension has been Infantino's proposed plan to bring private investment into FIFA's commercial activities.
The proposal involved creating new structures that could allow outside investors to gain exposure to some of FIFA's future commercial revenues.
Critics argued that such a move could give private investors too much influence over football's most valuable competitions.
The proposal triggered resistance from major football organisations and eventually became a major political problem for Infantino.
FIFA subsequently faced intense pressure to abandon or reconsider the plan.
UEFA and Other Confederations Push Back
UEFA has been among the strongest critics of Infantino's approach.
The European governing body has expressed concerns about FIFA making major commercial decisions without adequate consultation.
Other confederations have also become increasingly vocal.
The growing opposition is important because FIFA's president depends on support from national associations and regional confederations to maintain political control of the organisation.
Controversy Over the World Cup
Infantino's leadership has also come under scrutiny over decisions surrounding the 2026 World Cup.
Critics have questioned several changes involving match operations, commercial arrangements and disciplinary decisions.
Platini specifically pointed to changes such as prolonged hydration breaks and the extended halftime presentation at the World Cup final.
He argued that these decisions demonstrate how commercial considerations can increasingly influence the sporting product.
The Balogun Red-Card Controversy
Another issue that has added to the pressure involved American forward Folarin Balogun.
Balogun's red-card suspension was overturned ahead of the United States' World Cup knockout match against Belgium.
The decision attracted attention after U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that he had contacted Infantino regarding the suspension.
Critics questioned whether political influence should play any role in FIFA disciplinary decisions.
The incident became another example cited by opponents who argue that football governance is becoming too closely connected to political power.
Platini Has His Own History With Infantino
The relationship between Platini and Infantino is complicated.
Infantino worked under Platini during Platini's time as UEFA president.
Platini later attempted to become FIFA president after the corruption scandal that forced Sepp Blatter out of the organisation.
However, Platini was prevented from running in the 2016 election after being suspended by FIFA's ethics system.
Infantino eventually won that election and became FIFA president.
The two men have remained on opposite sides of football's political landscape ever since.
Platini Has Taken Legal Action
The dispute between the two men has also entered the legal system.
In June, Platini filed civil and criminal proceedings in France against FIFA and Infantino relating to the events surrounding his 2015 suspension and the collapse of his attempt to become FIFA president. 2
Platini's legal action means his latest public criticism is taking place alongside an ongoing legal dispute.
That history is important when assessing his comments.
His accusations should therefore be understood as the position of a highly critical former FIFA presidential candidate who has an unresolved dispute with the organisation and its current president.
Infantino Still Has Support
Despite the criticism, Infantino has not lost the support of everyone in world football.
Several football leaders continue to defend his presidency.
Africa remains particularly important to his political position because the Confederation of African Football has 54 member associations and therefore holds substantial voting power within FIFA.
Some African football officials have credited Infantino with increasing investment in football infrastructure, development programmes and competitions across the continent.
That support could become crucial if the campaign against Infantino intensifies.
Infantino Plans to Seek Another Term
Infantino has indicated that he intends to remain involved in FIFA's leadership and seek another term.
The next FIFA presidential election is expected to become a major political battle if opposition to his leadership continues to grow.
At present, the biggest problem for his opponents is that criticism alone does not automatically remove a FIFA president.
They need sufficient support within FIFA's political structure to challenge his position.
Why Removing a FIFA President Is Difficult
FIFA is governed by its member associations, rather than by governments or individual football clubs.
That means the political support of national football federations is critical.
A group of influential European officials can create enormous pressure, but removing a president requires a much broader coalition.
This is particularly important because FIFA has 211 member associations.
Support from Africa, Asia, North America, South America and other regions can determine the outcome of a presidential contest.
The Bigger Question: What Should FIFA Become?
The dispute over Infantino is ultimately about more than one individual.
It reflects a larger disagreement over what FIFA should be.
One side sees FIFA as an increasingly powerful global sports organisation that should aggressively expand its commercial opportunities.
The other side argues that football's governing body must protect sporting integrity and ensure that commercial interests do not dominate the game.
That tension has existed for decades, but the enormous financial value of modern football has made it increasingly difficult to ignore.
Money and Power at the Centre of the Debate
Modern football generates billions of dollars through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, merchandising and commercial partnerships.
FIFA controls some of the most valuable sporting properties in the world, particularly the men's and women's World Cups.
That makes control of FIFA enormously valuable.
Platini's accusation that Infantino is too focused on money and power therefore touches the central issue surrounding modern football governance.
The challenge for FIFA is balancing commercial growth with credibility, transparency and sporting independence.
Former Players Are Also Speaking Out
Platini is not the only former football figure criticizing Infantino.
A group of former players and football personalities have recently called for major changes within FIFA.
They have argued that players and supporters should have a stronger voice in decisions affecting the future of the sport.
The involvement of former players makes the debate more difficult for FIFA to dismiss as simply a dispute between football administrators.
It suggests that dissatisfaction is spreading into parts of the football community that have traditionally had limited influence over global governance.
What Happens Next?
The immediate question is whether the growing criticism develops into a formal challenge to Infantino's leadership.
European football officials have already increased pressure on FIFA.
Former players are calling for change.
Platini has now publicly demanded that Infantino leave.
But Infantino still has significant support in other parts of the football world.
The balance of those alliances will determine whether the current crisis becomes a genuine leadership challenge or remains a period of intense criticism.
Conclusion
Michel Platini's demand that Gianni Infantino "must go" adds another powerful voice to the growing criticism surrounding FIFA's president.
The dispute is no longer simply about one controversial decision. It has become a wider argument over FIFA's leadership, commercial ambitions, political influence and the future direction of world football.
Infantino still has important supporters, meaning his position is not automatically in danger.
But the growing number of former players, football officials and organisations questioning his leadership creates a serious political challenge ahead of the next FIFA presidential election.
Platini's intervention is particularly significant because he once worked closely with Infantino and later attempted to replace him at FIFA.
Whether Infantino survives the growing backlash will ultimately depend not on public criticism, but on whether his opponents can turn that criticism into enough votes inside FIFA.
For now, the battle over the future of FIFA has clearly begun.
