A global coalition of soccer fan organizations initiated a petition on Thursday demanding the resignation of Gianni Infantino as FIFA president following his proposal to sell future World Cup revenues to private investors. The petition, using the hashtag InfantinOut, also advocates for a restructuring of FIFA to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The petition condemned Infantino’s endeavor to commercialize the World Cup by seeking private investment, labeling it as a disgraceful act that betrayed the sport. The FIFA president ultimately abandoned this plan due to widespread condemnation. 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 groups globally.
Despite facing pressure from various soccer governing bodies, such as UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, Infantino has refused to step down. The petition accuses him of a failure of leadership, highlighting issues such as centralized power, lack of transparency in decision-making, and a lack of accountability within FIFA.
The petition asserts that Infantino’s resignation is crucial for the credibility of FIFA and the future of the sport. It also criticizes his previous support for contentious projects like the European Super League and the proposal to hold World Cups every two years. The petition emphasizes the necessity of Infantino’s resignation to restore trust in FIFA and ensure the integrity of the game.