Michel Platini files new complaint against Gianni Infantino for influence peddling and malicious denunciation
via SeneNews2 min read
Michel Platini has filed a complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino for "malicious denunciation" and "influence peddling," according to a statement. This action, which also targets two former FIFA officials, includes a civil party constitution, which will lead to the appointment of an investigating judge. Platini had previously filed two complaints in 2018 and 2021 concerning the same matter; the first was deemed time-barred, and the second was dismissed last October. The former football star will also initiate civil proceedings against the global football body to seek compensation for damages related to "maneuvers used to prevent him from being elected FIFA president in 2015." Platini believes that Infantino, his former number two at UEFA, along with former FIFA legal director Marco Villiger and former chairman of its audit committee Domenico Scala, "worked to remove him from the presidential race" through "totally unfounded accusations." The revelation in autumn 2015 of a payment of two million Swiss francs made to Platini by FIFA four years earlier led to disciplinary and criminal proceedings, just as he was well-positioned to lead FIFA. Platini's removal paved the way for the unexpected election of his UEFA secretary general, Gianni Infantino, in February 2016. Infantino was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and 2023 and will seek another term next March.
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