Michel Platini calls for Gianni Infantino to leave FIFA

Michel Platini has called for Gianni Infantino to leave the FIFA presidency, escalating a long-running dispute between the two former UEFA colleagues. Platini says Infantino has failed in his duty to protect the laws of football and has allowed decisions that fall outside the regulations.

Platini pointed to several incidents at the last World Cup, including commercial water breaks, a 30-minute interval during the final and what he described as the mishandling of a red-card case. He also cited the suspension of the expulsion imposed on United States forward Florin Balogun, which allowed him to play in the next match after a telephone intervention by US President Donald Trump with Infantino. FIFA rules prohibit political interference in football matters.

Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and is seeking re-election next year. His position has also come under pressure after a proposal to sell stakes in World Cup rights to private investors failed. Platini said UEFA’s possible criminal case over that proposal could prove more effective than action through sporting authorities.

The dispute is personal as well as institutional. Infantino served for years as UEFA secretary general while Platini was president. Platini was suspended from football activity in 2015 after receiving a payment from FIFA, ending his plan to run for the world governing body’s presidency before Infantino took the post.