Michel Platini files criminal complaint against Fifa boss Gianni Infantino
Former Uefa president Michel Platini has launched legal proceedings in Paris against Fifa and its president Gianni Infantino over an alleged conspiracy that derailed his career.
Lawyers for the 70-year-old confirmed the criminal complaint also targets two former executives, Marco Villiger and Domenico Scala.
The trio stand accused of malicious prosecution and influence peddling during the fallout of a 2015 corruption scandal.
The former France international claims the group actively conspired to prevent him from succeeding Sepp Blatter as the most powerful man in world football.
Cleared of corruption charges
Platini had been the overwhelming frontrunner to take control of the global governing body nearly a decade ago.
His ambitions were abruptly halted when the ethics committee suspended both him and Blatter over a controversial two million Swiss franc payment.
However, the pair were entirely cleared of fraud and forgery charges by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court late last year.
The three-time Ballon d’Or winner is now seeking separate financial damages in Switzerland for what his legal team describe as a calculated effort to ruin his reputation.
Unwelcome timing ahead of World Cup
Infantino previously worked directly beneath Platini as general secretary of European football’s governing body.
The 54-year-old ultimately secured the presidency in 2016 and has consolidated his authority ever since.
These latest legal developments present a significant distraction just days before the expanded World Cup begins across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Fifa has yet to issue an official response regarding the allegations.