A global coalition of soccer fan organizations initiated a petition on Thursday demanding the resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This action was prompted by Infantino’s proposal to sell future World Cup revenues to private investors, which was met with widespread condemnation and led to the withdrawal of the plan.
The petition, accompanied by the hashtag InfantinOut, also advocates for the restructuring of FIFA to prevent similar controversies in the future. It criticizes Infantino for his unilateral decision to commercialize the World Cup, describing it as a betrayal of football’s core values.
Among the fan groups supporting the petition are Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa, and the Independent Supporters Council in North America, along with approximately 40 national fan associations globally.
Despite facing calls for his resignation from UEFA and criticism from CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, Infantino has remained defiant. The fan petition accuses him of a lack of effective leadership, citing his involvement in contentious projects such as the European Super League and the proposal for biennial World Cups.
The petition emphasizes the need for Infantino to step down to preserve FIFA’s credibility and ensure the integrity of the sport. It points to concerns about the concentration of power within the FIFA Presidency and the lack of transparency and accountability in decision-making processes under Infantino’s leadership.