In a stunning and candid critique, former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched a scathing attack on his one-time deputy, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of transforming into an autocratic leader who courts the rich and powerful.
From Deputy to "Autocrat": Platini's Damning Assessment
Platini, who led European football's governing body from 2007 to 2015, worked closely with Infantino when the latter served as his number two at UEFA between 2009 and 2015. In a revealing interview with The Guardian, the French football legend drew a sharp contrast between Infantino's past and present roles.
"He was a good number two, but he is not a good number one," Platini stated bluntly. He elaborated that while Infantino performed well at UEFA, his character flaw is a preference for affluent and influential circles. "He likes rich and powerful people — those with money. That is his character," Platini alleged, noting this tendency was visible even in his previous role, but without the ultimate authority.
Democracy in Decline Since the Pandemic
The former France international midfielder argued that the style of governance at world football's apex body has deteriorated under Infantino's watch, particularly following the global COVID-19 crisis. Platini claimed decision-making has become less inclusive and democratic.
"Unfortunately, Infantino has become more of an autocrat since the pandemic. There is less democracy than in Blatter's time," he asserted. In a surprising comparative note, Platini offered a tempered view of the scandal-tainted former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, saying, "You can say what you want about Blatter, but his main problem was that he wanted to stay at FIFA for life. He was a good person for football."
A Broader Critique of Modern Football Bureaucracy
Extending his criticism beyond Infantino, Platini took aim at the contemporary culture of football administration itself. He suggested that a genuine passion for the sport is often missing among today's officials, who treat their roles as mere jobs.
"The administrators in football today are just doing their job. You find many who wouldn't care whether it's football or basketball," Platini lamented. He emphasised that working for prestigious organisations like UEFA or FIFA does not automatically equate to a love for the beautiful game.
These explosive comments from a figure of Platini's stature are set to reignite debates about transparency, governance, and the direction of global football leadership under Gianni Infantino's presidency.
