Players unite against Gianni Infantino, calling for change at FIFA
A group of prominent footballers has united in opposition to the FIFA president, stating that fundamental change is required within the governing body.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
A collective of current and former footballers has launched a public challenge against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, declaring that "change is necessary" at the top of the global governing body. The movement is spearheaded by former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre, who serves on FIFA's Players' Voice Panel.
In a statement posted on social media, Silvestre declared "Enough is Enough!", a sentiment echoed by high-profile figures including Lucy Bronze, Emmanuel Petit, and David James. The group is protesting Infantino's controversial plans to sell stakes in major competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.
The players argue that FIFA's current leadership has drifted away from the game's core values, making decisions without consulting those who play or support it. They are calling for structural change that ensures players and fans have a direct and meaningful say in how football is governed.
This development adds to the mounting pressure on Infantino following backlash over the FIFA Forward Enterprise controversy. UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions, with its president Aleksander Ceferin recently suggesting that Infantino should resign or face a leadership challenge in next March's elections.
Conversely, former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, now president of the Cameroonian Football Association, has defended the FIFA leader. Eto'o argued that Infantino has transformed the game, particularly by providing smaller nations with greater opportunities to participate in the World Cup and accelerating the development of federations in Africa.