Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched a scathing attack on the current head of world football's governing body, accusing Gianni Infantino of transforming into an autocrat who is overly interested in wealthy and powerful individuals.
From Deputy to 'Autocrat': Platini's Stinging Critique
In a candid interview with The Guardian on Thursday, 15 January 2026, the French football legend did not hold back in his assessment of his former subordinate. Platini, who led European football's governing body from 2009 to 2015, stated that Infantino, who served as his deputy during that period, was a competent number two but has failed as the top boss.
"He was a good number two, but is not a good number one," Platini declared. He elaborated that Infantino's character flaw is a penchant for the rich and powerful. "He likes the rich and powerful people, the ones with money. It's his character. He was like that as a number two, but back then he was not the boss."
A Less Democratic FIFA and the Trump Connection
Platini pinpointed the global pandemic as a turning point, asserting that "Infantino has become more of an autocrat since the pandemic." He contrasted the current leadership with the era of Sepp Blatter, the scandal-plagued former president whom Infantino succeeded in 2016. Surprisingly, Platini suggested that FIFA under Blatter was more democratic.
"There is less democracy than in Blatter's time," he claimed. "You can say what you want about Blatter, but his main problem is that he wanted to continue at FIFA for life. He was a good person for football."
The former UEFA chief also highlighted Infantino's close ties with influential political figures. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Infantino has cultivated a strong relationship with former US President Donald Trump. In a notable move, Infantino created a special FIFA peace prize and awarded it to Trump during the tournament's draw ceremony in December.
Personal Vendetta and the State of Football Administration
Platini's criticism is deeply personal. He believes Infantino actively sabotaged his own bid to become FIFA president. He accuses the Swiss-Italian lawyer of tipping off Swiss prosecutors about a controversial, undocumented payment of two million Swiss francs (approximately $2.5 million) from Blatter to Platini, which ultimately derailed his candidacy.
Beyond personal grievances, Platini expressed a broader disillusionment with modern football administration. He lamented that many officials at bodies like UEFA and FIFA are merely doing a job without a genuine passion for the sport.
"The administrators in football now, they are just doing their job. You find many who wouldn't care whether it's football or basketball," Platini told the newspaper. "It's not always a case of loving football if you work at UEFA or FIFA."
This explosive interview reveals the deep fractures within football's highest echelons and paints a picture of a FIFA presidency increasingly centralised and focused on elite connections, according to one of the game's most influential former power brokers.
