Former UEFA president Michel Platini has opened a new legal front in France, filing criminal and civil complaints against FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino. The action stems from the 2015 corruption allegations that derailed Platini’s campaign to lead world soccer.
The criminal complaint, filed in Paris, accuses Infantino, former FIFA legal director Marco Villiger, and ex-audit committee chairman Domenico Scala of malicious prosecution and influence peddling. A separate civil lawsuit seeks full financial compensation from FIFA, alleging internal maneuvers designed to block Platini’s election as FIFA president over a decade ago.
The case traces back to a 2 million Swiss franc payment authorized by then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter to Platini in 2011. The subsequent ethics bans sidelined Platini and cleared the path for Infantino-then UEFA general secretary under Platini-to win the FIFA presidency in 2016.
Platini’s action comes after his and Blatter’s definitive acquittal by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court on March 25, 2025, on fraud and forgery charges. The acquittal became final in September 2025. Platini, now 70, said he believed the case was intended to prevent him from becoming FIFA president.
French investigators have been asked to examine whether Swiss prosecutors improperly coordinated with FIFA during the original criminal investigation. FIFA has previously denied any wrongdoing.