Former UEFA president Michel Platini is taking legal action against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, alleging that Infantino and two other officials conspired to destroy his chances of becoming football's top leader. According to reports, Platini's legal team confirmed they are launching proceedings in Paris against Infantino, former FIFA legal director Marco Villiger, and ex-audit chair Domenico Scala.
Accusations of malicious prosecution
The three men stand accused of malicious prosecution and influence peddling in connection with a scandal that ended Platini's career in football governance. Platini was the frontrunner to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president until 2015, when Blatter was effectively charged with bribing Platini to secure votes for a fourth term.
Both Platini and Blatter were suspended by FIFA's ethics committee over a two million Swiss francs "disloyal payment." However, Swiss courts later cleared both men of wrongdoing.
Platini seeks damages
The former France international is also pursuing FIFA for financial damages in Switzerland. His lawyers claim a calculated effort was made to prevent his succession of Blatter. Infantino, who served as UEFA general secretary under Platini, won election to succeed Blatter in 2016 and has remained in office since, consolidating his authority.
The timing of the legal actions becoming public is likely to embarrass Infantino and FIFA just before the World Cup kicks off in the US, Mexico, and Canada on Thursday.
FIFA yet to respond
Mirror Sport has contacted FIFA regarding the allegations but has not yet received a response. Infantino is set to face the media on Wednesday, the eve of the largest edition of the tournament ever staged.
This development comes nine months after Platini, now 70, and Blatter, 90, were acquitted of fraud and forgery charges by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court in September.
Infantino's tenure
Since taking office, Infantino has driven sweeping changes to FIFA's operations and significantly boosted its revenue. Last week, he topped City AM's inaugural Football Power List.
The news is the latest controversy in a string of events that have overshadowed the build-up to this summer's World Cup. The United States' conflict with Iran has been a major talking point. Iran threatened to pull out of the tournament following airstrikes that killed their leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Italy was put forward as a possible replacement, and it was suggested that Iran's fixtures could be relocated to Mexico at short notice.
Throughout the uncertainty, Infantino insisted that Iran would participate, while US President Donald Trump issued a menacing statement, saying: "I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety." Trump later gave his lukewarm approval.
In recent hours, Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States, and Iranian fans had their tickets withdrawn.
