Former World Cup champions and international football stars have issued a joint statement demanding immediate changes at FIFA, claiming president Gianni Infantino has been blinded by power.
Infantino is facing increasing pressure to resign, according to Greek news agency ANA-MPA, following the withdrawal of his now-abandoned proposal to set up a commercial entity that would manage FIFA competition rights and sell a 20 percent stake to private investors.
The Swiss administrator has shown no intention of stepping down from the position he has held since 2016, despite open opposition from several major regional confederations, including UEFA in Europe, the AFC in Asia, and CONCACAF in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Discussions have also begun over a potential motion of no confidence against him.
Calls for structural reform at FIFA
The joint statement was backed by prominent figures across men's and women's football, including French 1998 World Cup winners Emmanuel Petit, Bixente Lizarazu, and Robert Pires, former United States World Cup winner Briana Scurry, and former England international Lucy Bronze.
The group said they share the exact same concerns as millions of supporters across the globe, having watched football move away from its core values under current FIFA leadership. They stated that immediate change is necessary, adding that power has clouded the judgment of football's leaders to the point where they can no longer distinguish their own interests from what is best for the sport.
The coalition also features former Peru striker Claudio Pizarro, former Argentina international Juan Sebastián Verón, former Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor, and FIFA Legends Didier Drogba and David James. Reuters contacted FIFA requesting comment on the statement.
The role of FIFA Legends
FIFA Legends are former players recognized by the global governing body for their contributions to the sport. They help promote football on behalf of FIFA by taking part in exhibition matches and supporting social and charitable initiatives around the world.
The group called on all stakeholders to step forward and help shape the future of the game. They acknowledged that there are individuals within FIFA who wish to restore trust, but insisted that a new era requires structural reform that gives players and supporters an immediate and meaningful say in how football is governed.
They added that those on the pitch and in the stands deserve a real voice to help shape football's future, declaring that they would no longer remain silent for the good of the sport, its players, and its fans.
Potential vote of no confidence
Infantino is set to seek re-election next year. However, the strongest regional football powers are considering whether to force a vote on a motion of no confidence before the election takes place, according to senior officials familiar with the discussions who spoke to Reuters last week.
FIFA is football's international governing body, founded in 1904 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Infantino took office in 2016 following the departure of former president Sepp Blatter and was subsequently re-elected to lead the organization.
