Former UEFA chief Platini says FIFA president Infantino "must go" amid governance crisis
Michel Platini, the former UEFA president, said on Sunday that FIFA President Gianni Infantino “must go” following scandals that have rocked world football’s governing body. Platini criticized Infantino for failing to uphold the rules of the game, citing controversies during the recent World Cup in North America, including four-minute hydration breaks used for advertisements, an overlong halftime show during the final, and the overturning of a red card suspension for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun after a call from then-President Donald Trump .
The Dutch football federation, KNVB, on Sunday called for an international summit in Amsterdam to reform FIFA’s governance, explicitly excluding Infantino from the discussions. In a statement, the KNVB said FIFA needs “new leadership starting in 2027” and that a mere change of president would be insufficient. The federation, which had supported Infantino’s re-election in 2023, said it had lost confidence in his leadership, citing excessive concentration of power and insufficient separation between the president and FIFA’s administration .
Infantino has faced mounting pressure since his aborted plan to sell stakes in a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, to private investors. UEFA, CONCACAF, and Asian football bodies have joined the criticism, with UEFA accusing Infantino of “criminal mismanagement” over the financing scheme. Platini, who once led UEFA with Infantino as his secretary general, told Canal+ that the Swiss-Italian’s downfall would not come from sporting institutions but through legal action. “He always loved money and power,” Platini said .
The KNVB’s proposal for the Amsterdam summit seeks to define the future structure of FIFA before addressing its leadership, emphasizing stronger governance, transparency, and independent oversight. The federation also called for human rights, sustainability, and anti-racism to be central to FIFA’s decision-making, and for a greater share of revenues to be reinvested in global football development .
Platini’s remarks follow his own legal troubles: he was accused of fraud in 2015 while UEFA president but was acquitted in 2025. Infantino succeeded him as FIFA president in 2016 .
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Ex-UEFA boss Michel Platini says FIFA president Gianni Infantino "must go" following the scandals that have rocked world footballs governing body u.afp.com/SVn5
bluesky_AFP English · about 4 hours ago
Platini joins criticism: Infantino must resign French football legend Michel Platini believes FIFA President Gianni Infantino must step down, stating that he failed to respect the rules of the game. Infantino has faced criticism over now-shelved investment plans and controversies during the World Cup in North America, including four-minute commercial-driven drinking breaks, an overlong final halftime show, and overturning a suspension […]
cphpost · about 4 hours ago
Federaţia olandeză cere organizarea unui summit privind viitorul FIFA la Amsterdam, fără Infantino Federaţia Olandeză de Fotbal (KNVB) a cerut duminică organizarea unui summit internaţional la Amsterdam, fără Gianni Infantino, pentru a discuta o reformă profundă a guvernanţei FIFA, relatează AFP, citată de News.ro.
digi24 · about 8 hours ago
Michel Platini estime que Gianni Infantino « doit partir » de la présidence de la FIFA Ces déclarations interviennent alors que le patron de la FIFA fait face à une contestation croissante de plusieurs confédérations, notamment après son projet avorté douverture de la Coupe du monde à des investisseurs privés.
le monde · about 8 hours ago
FIFA president Infantino must go, says ex-UEFA boss Platini French football great Michel Platini said on Sunday FIFA president Gianni Infantino "must go" following the scandals that have rocked world footballs governing body. The 56-year-old Infantino has…
japantoday · about 11 hours ago
⚽️ Dutch football federation calls for summit on the future of FIFA which does not involve beleaguered president Gianni Infantino. u.afp.com/SVeh
bluesky_AFP English · about 11 hours ago
Platini: Infantino moet weg De Franse oud-voetballer Michel Platini wil dat voorzitter Gianni Infantino vertrekt bij wereldvoetbalbond FIFA. De Zwitser staat onder druk na zijn plan om een deel van de aandelen van een nieuw op te richten bedrijf, FIFA Forward Enterprise, te verkopen aan particuliere investeerders.
rtl nieuws · about 11 hours ago
Een paar jaar lang is de KNVB een meeloper geweest in het kielzog van Infantino, nu staat de bond opeens op de barricaden
de volkskrant · about 12 hours ago