A global coalition of soccer fan associations has initiated a petition urging Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA president following his attempted proposal to sell future World Cup revenues to private investors. The petition, labeled InfantinOut, also demands a restructuring of FIFA to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The petition condemns Infantino’s idea to commercialize the World Cup, labeling it as a disgraceful act that violated the integrity of football. Despite facing backlash, Infantino abandoned the plan after widespread criticism. 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 worldwide.
Although various football bodies, such as UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, have expressed their lack of confidence in Infantino, he has refused to resign. The petition accuses Infantino of a severe lack of leadership and transparency within FIFA, leading to a loss of trust in the organization. It also highlights Infantino’s previous controversial moves, such as supporting the failed European Super League project and advocating for biennial World Cups.
The petition concludes by asserting that Infantino’s resignation is essential for FIFA’s credibility and the future of the sport. It emphasizes the necessity of holding accountable those in power and preventing similar incidents from recurring in the future.