Platini files civil, criminal cases against FIFA, Gianni Infantino in France

PARIS – Former UEFA president Michel Platini has initiated both civil and criminal legal proceedings in France against FIFA and its current president Gianni Infantino, escalating a long-running dispute linked to the 2015 corruption controversy in world football. Platini contends that the allegations that surfaced in 2015 severely damaged his chances of becoming FIFA president and ultimately ended his bid for the top position in the global football governing body. According to filings submitted in Paris, the criminal complaints also name former FIFA legal director Marco Villiger and former audit committee chairman Domenico Scala. The defendants are accused of alleged malicious legal action and abuse of influence. Separately, Platini has also filed a civil lawsuit against FIFA, seeking compensation for what he describes as financial losses and reputational damage resulting from the case. He maintains that certain elements within FIFA intentionally worked to block his presidential ambitions. The case traces back to 2015, when a payment of 2 million Swiss francs to Platini came under scrutiny. The payment had been approved in 2011 by then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Following ethics investigations, Platini was sanctioned for alleged violations of FIFA’s code of ethics, which led to his exclusion from the presidential race. Gianni Infantino was later elected FIFA president in 2016. ICC approves trial use of pink ball in Tests to reduce lost time due to bad light