Former UEFA president Michel Platini has filed a criminal case in Paris against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of engaging in active influence peddling and spreading false allegations related to the circumstances that derailed his bid for the FIFA presidency in 2015. The French football icon has also included two former FIFA executives in his complaint as he seeks to restore his reputation and hold those involved accountable.

Platini initiates legal proceedings over 2015 controversy

According to a statement provided to AFP, Platini has lodged a criminal complaint in Paris naming Infantino. The complaint alleges acts of active influence peddling and the dissemination of misleading accusations connected to the events that led to Platini’s downfall in 2015. The former UEFA chief has also identified ex-FIFA legal director Marco Villiger and former audit and compliance committee chairman Domenico Scala as co-defendants in the case.

Platini aims to investigate what he describes as orchestrated efforts to block his path to becoming FIFA president. The legal move represents the latest development in a saga that has persisted since the scandal that effectively ended Platini’s hopes of succeeding Sepp Blatter as the head of world football’s governing body.

Platini pursues justice for alleged misconduct

Platini’s legal representatives have indicated that they intend to prove a deliberate campaign was undertaken to tarnish his reputation and prevent his election to FIFA’s top post. In addition to the criminal proceedings in France, Platini is also preparing a civil lawsuit seeking damages from FIFA for the losses he claims to have suffered due to the ethics probe.

The former France international reportedly believes he was subjected to a smear operation that changed the course of global football governance. Through these new legal efforts, Platini seeks to vindicate himself and identify those he considers responsible for his ousting from football administration.

Dispute traces back to 2015 payment investigation

The roots of this long-running dispute can be traced to a payment of 2 million Swiss francs made to Platini in 2011, authorised by then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter. The payment was said to be compensation for consultancy work conducted between 1998 and 2002, but the delayed transfer later triggered scrutiny from investigators.

Once the payment details became public in 2015, both Platini and Blatter were handed lengthy suspensions from football activities. At that point, Platini was widely seen as the leading contender to replace Blatter as FIFA president. His enforced withdrawal from the race ultimately cleared the way for Infantino, who was then UEFA’s general secretary, to secure the FIFA presidency in February 2016. Since then, Infantino has been re-elected twice without facing any challengers.

New legal actions may revive past controversies

Platini’s criminal complaint and forthcoming civil lawsuit are expected to reignite one of football’s most significant governance controversies. The proceedings could once again draw attention to the events surrounding the 2015 ethics investigation and the subsequent FIFA leadership transition.