A global coalition of soccer fan associations launched a petition on Thursday demanding the resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The petition, tagged with InfantinOut, also urges a reconstruction of FIFA to prevent similar controversies in the future.
Infantino faced severe backlash for his proposal to commercialize the World Cup by selling off its profits to private investors, a move that was swiftly abandoned after widespread condemnation. The petition described this attempt as a betrayal that tarnished football’s integrity.
The fan groups involved in the petition include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa, the Independent Supporters Council in North America, and approximately 40 national fan organizations worldwide.
Despite mounting pressure, Infantino has refused to step down, even as UEFA and other major soccer bodies have expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership. The petition denounces Infantino’s governance as a failure, citing issues such as centralized power, secretive decision-making, and lack of accountability within FIFA.
The petition emphasizes the necessity for Infantino’s resignation for the sake of FIFA’s credibility and the future of the sport. It highlights previous controversial initiatives supported by Infantino, such as the failed European Super League project and the proposal for biennial World Cups.