Influential current and former footballers have called for change at the top of FIFA, saying 'enough is enough' and accusing president Gianni Infantino of being power hungry.
Key facts
- A group of influential current and former footballers have called for change at the top of FIFA.
- The statement, shared widely on social media, said 'enough is enough'.
- Some of those circulating it have worked as ambassadors under FIFA's 'FIFA Legends' programme.
- Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikaël Silvestre is among those involved.
- Samuel Eto'o has said Infantino has not 'done anything wrong'.
A group of influential current and former footballers has added to the pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino by calling for change at the top of world football’s governing body, saying “enough is enough” in a statement shared widely across social media, according to the Guardian.
The intervention is regarded as particularly significant because some of those behind its circulation have undertaken ambassadorial activities for FIFA as part of its “FIFA Legends” programme, meaning the criticism comes from within the organisation’s own network of prominent figures.
Among those involved is the former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikaël Silvestre. The Guardian notes that Silvestre also sits on FIFA’s 16-member players’ voice panel, a body designed to assist with anti-racism initiatives.
The players’ statement accuses Infantino of being power hungry, adding a fresh dimension to the scrutiny surrounding his leadership of the sport’s global governing body.
Not all figures in the game share the criticism. According to the Guardian, Samuel Eto’o has claimed the FIFA chief has not “done anything wrong”, underlining a division of opinion among high-profile voices in football.
The public nature of the intervention, spread across social media, reflects the growing willingness of players — including those with formal ties to FIFA — to speak out on the direction of the organisation.
Why it matters
FIFA governs the world's most popular sport, and calls for its president to resign from within its own network of ambassadors signal significant internal discontent. How the governing body responds could shape the future of football's leadership and its credibility with players and fans.
Frequently asked questions
Who is calling for change at FIFA?
A group of influential current and former footballers, some of whom have worked as ambassadors under FIFA's 'FIFA Legends' programme, according to the Guardian. Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikaël Silvestre is among those involved.
What have the players accused Infantino of?
The players accuse Gianni Infantino of being power hungry and said 'enough is enough' in a statement shared widely across social media.
Does everyone in football support the criticism?
No. According to the Guardian, Samuel Eto'o has claimed the FIFA chief has not 'done anything wrong'.