Michel Platini calls for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president, claims he hasn’t ‘respected the rules’ of football

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has called on Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA president.

Platini criticised Infantino’s leadership, arguing that the FIFA president has failed in his responsibility to protect the game’s rules.

He highlighted several controversial decisions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including additional breaks during matches and the decision to extend half-time in the final to 30 minutes. 

Platini also criticised the handling of the red card incident involving American striker Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was overturned after intervention from United States president Donald Trump.

Infantino’s position has been further weakened by his shocking plan to allow private investors to own a part of FIFA.

UEFA, together with CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has reportedly increased its opposition to Infantino as the 2027 FIFA presidential election approaches. 

Infantino has been FIFA president since 2016 but wants another term at the organisation’s upcoming congress in Morocco in March 2027.

Platini believes UEFA’s efforts to challenge Infantino could eventually be settled in court. 

He suggested that taking legal action against Infantino could be more effective than attempting to remove the FIFA president through sporting institutions.

Meanwhile, UEFA is preparing to lodge a ‘disloyal management’ complaint against Infantino under Swiss law while looking for a candidate to oppose him in 2027.

“This will not be resolved, and he will not fall through the sporting authorities,” Platini said (via RMC Sport). 

“I think that if UEFA wants to bring Infantino down, it will be through the courts. I always knew that he loved money and power.”

Platini was once considered a potential FIFA president, but he couldn’t run for the position due to fraud allegations. He was finally acquitted in Switzerland in August 2025.

Platini still has a bitter relationship with Infantino. 

He has accused the FIFA president of benefiting from his downfall and has filed a complaint against him in France over allegations of defamation and influence peddling.