Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), has faced widespread criticism since the 2026 World Cup tournaments, which were jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The FIFA President finds himself in a critical position following his controversial plan to secure World Cup slots and other tournaments in exchange for £20 billion.
UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), AFC (Asian Football Confederation), and CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) signed a joint letter accusing Infantino of breach of trust and deception, calling for new leadership. They seek his removal before he runs for a fourth term next March and are also prepared to boycott the upcoming World Cup if Infantino remains in office.
In this context, several football legends and former players, including Emmanuel Petit, Lucy Bronze, Mikaël Silvestre, and others, issued an open letter criticizing FIFA and demanding greater structural reforms along with increased involvement of players and fans in decision-making processes.
In their letter, the players explained that football is now being managed in a manner that prioritizes financial interests over the sport itself, and that the voices of players and fans are not sufficiently respected.
Although the players' statement did not explicitly mention Infantino by name, their message was clear: "As players, football has given us everything, and we have dedicated our lives to it. We have played together on its greatest stages and proudly worn our national team jerseys. However, we fully recognize that none of our achievements would have been possible without the fans, whose passion and commitment form the foundation of football.
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We share the same concerns felt by millions of fans worldwide. Like them, we have watched the football we love drift away from its core values under FIFA's current leadership. We have repeatedly witnessed crucial decisions made without consulting players or considering their opinions, and without any regard for the fans who are the essence of this sport.
Change is necessary. The influence of power has overwhelmed the current leadership's ability to distinguish between personal interests and what is best for football. Recent events have made silence impossible; enough is enough. We call upon all relevant parties to take initiative and contribute to reshaping the future of our sport. This is a call that unites us all, from grassroots levels to the highest echelons of football.
There are good people within FIFA who wish to rebuild trust, but a new era requires radical change and genuine, direct input from players and fans regarding how football is managed. Everyone who steps onto the pitch and everyone who sits in the stands deserves a voice to collectively help reshape football's future. The football community has remained silent for far too long. For the sake of the fans, for the players, and for the good of the game, we will no longer remain silent."
