FIFA President Gianni Infantino 'Must go,' argues former UEFA boss Michel Platini

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched a scathing attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, declaring that he "must go" due to a repeated failure to respect football's core regulations.

Speaking in an interview with French television channel Canal+, Platini argued that while financial and economic matters are significant, Infantino’s primary failure is as the ultimate guardian of the laws of the game.

Platini pointed to several controversial departures from standard protocol during the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in North America, including unauthorized commercial ad breaks/hydration breaks, a stretched 30-minute halftime break during the final, and severe handling of disciplinary decisions.

Platini specifically highlighted a contentious red-card episode involving US forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension was controversially overturned during the World Cup following external political intervention.

Infantino has faced mounting pressure from confederations like UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC following an aborted attempt to introduce private investment into major FIFA tournaments.

Platini’s comments add fuel to an escalating institutional crisis for FIFA as opposition mounts ahead of the March 2027 congress in Morocco, where Infantino is up for re-election.