FIFA is facing growing criticism from former and current football players. A group of World Cup winners and FIFA legends has called for immediate change at the sport’s governing body. They say the leadership under President Gianni Infantino has become blinded by power.
The statement arrived through a coordinated social media post that spread quickly among current and former stars. It comes as Infantino faces mounting pressure over a shelved plan to sell a stake in FIFA tournament rights. The dispute has increased pressure on FIFA’s leadership.
Legends unite against FIFA leadership crisis
Several former international players spoke out this week against FIFA leadership. Their message said change is necessary at the very top of the organization. The statement carried unusual weight because it came from some of the sport’s most respected names.
The group includes World Cup winners and continental champions from several countries. Their shared concern focused on how football’s governing body makes decisions that affect the entire sport. They argued that fans and players deserve a stronger voice in that process.
This kind of public statement from active and former stars is rare in football. Athletes usually avoid criticizing FIFA directly, given the organization’s influence over their careers. Their statement adds to the criticism already facing Infantino.
Silvestre sparks a coordinated social media push
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre was among the former players who shared the statement. He is a member of FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel, an advisory group involving former players. On Monday, he posted a statement on social media calling for changes in FIFA’s leadership.
His post began with a simple phrase declaring that enough is enough. Other prominent players quickly shared the identical message on their own accounts.
The unified wording made it clear that the statement had been planned in advance. The coordinated posts presented a collective call for change.
Petit and Bronze add star power
French World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit joined the growing list of voices. He won the tournament with France back in 1998 and remains a respected figure. His support added another prominent former player to the statement.
England international Lucy Bronze also lent her name to the effort. She is a double European champion and one of the most decorated women’s players today. Her involvement brought a prominent figure in women’s football into the statement.
Other former stars, including Bixente Lizarazu and Robert Pires, joined as well. American goalkeeper Briana Scurry also added her voice to the women’s game. The group included former stars with extensive international experience.
Infantino faces backlash over private investment plan
The unrest traces back to a controversial proposal from Infantino earlier this year. He suggested creating a new commercial body to manage FIFA tournament rights. The plan included selling a 20% stake to private investors.
However, critics argued the move would hand outside investors influence over football’s future. Many worried it could shift decisions away from fans, players, and national federations. Infantino eventually shelved the proposal after facing widespread pushback.
Even though the plan was dropped, distrust toward his leadership has not faded. The episode has become part of the wider debate over FIFA’s governance. The proposal was among the issues raised in the criticism of FIFA’s leadership.
Fun fact: Infantino’s parents were Italian immigrants with family roots in Calabria and Lombardy.
Ceferin questions Infantino’s grip on power
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has publicly criticized Infantino’s leadership. He has ruled himself out of running against Infantino for FIFA’s top job. Still, he has openly questioned whether Infantino should continue leading the organization.
Speaking on a podcast, Ceferin suggested Infantino faces a difficult choice ahead. He said Infantino could recognize he lacks sufficient support and step aside voluntarily. He could face further pressure from FIFA’s member associations.
Ceferin’s comments carry weight given his role at the helm of European football’s governing body. His willingness to criticize Infantino publicly reflects growing tension between major confederations. The comments add to the tensions surrounding FIFA’s leadership.
Confederations weigh a no-confidence vote
Behind the scenes, football’s regional powers are discussing more drastic action. Several confederations have reportedly considered pursuing a formal no-confidence vote. Sources familiar with the talks shared details with Reuters last week.
The confederations named in these discussions include UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF. Their involvement suggests the frustration extends well beyond a handful of outspoken players. Such a vote would represent a significant challenge to Infantino’s authority.
Infantino is due to stand for reelection next year regardless of this pressure. Whether the no-confidence effort moves forward could shape the outcome of that vote. The discussions could add further pressure ahead of the election for FIFA’s leadership.
Eto’o defends Infantino ahead of election
Not everyone in football agrees with the criticism directed at Infantino. Former Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o offered a strong defense of the FIFA president. He now leads his country’s football federation and remains an influential figure.
Eto’o argued that Infantino has not done anything wrong during his tenure. He suggested the timing of the backlash relates to FIFA’s upcoming presidential election. According to Eto’o, political rivals are using the moment to weaken Infantino’s position.
His comments highlight a divide among football’s most prominent figures. Some see the criticism as a genuine concern for the sport’s direction. Others like Eto’o view it mainly through the lens of election politics.
What this means for football’s future
The dispute has raised broader questions about football governance and transparency, with players increasingly seeking a direct role in decisions that affect their careers and the sport. FIFA holds significant financial and political influence over global football, and decisions about tournament rights, revenue sharing, and governance are now drawing scrutiny from across the sport.
The pressure on Infantino shows that influence comes with rising accountability, and how FIFA responds could shape its relationship with players and fans for years to come. Greater involvement from players and other stakeholders could become part of that governance debate going forward.
Little-known fact: Infantino earns close to $6 million a year, comparable to that of some elite national team coaches.
TL;DR
- Former players and FIFA legends publicly criticized Gianni Infantino’s leadership this week.
- Mikael Silvestre was among the former players who shared the coordinated statement.
- Petit, Bronze, Lizarazu, Pires, and Scurry all joined the call for change.
- Infantino faces criticism over a shelved plan to sell FIFA tournament rights to investors.
- UEFA’s Ceferin and confederations are weighing further pressure ahead of next year’s election.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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