A global coalition of soccer fan associations 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, accompanied by the hashtag InfantinOut, also calls for a reconstruction of FIFA to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The petition criticized Infantino’s abandoned initiative to commercialize the World Cup, stating that it was a disgraceful act that betrayed the essence of football. Fan groups involved in the petition include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa, and the Independent Supporters Council in North America, alongside approximately 40 national fan groups worldwide.
Despite opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, Infantino has refused to step down. The fan petition condemned his leadership as a failure, citing concerns about the concentration of power within the FIFA Presidency, lack of transparency, and absence of accountability. The petition emphasized the necessity of Infantino resigning for the credibility of FIFA and the welfare of the sport.
Furthermore, the petition highlighted Infantino’s contentious decisions in the past, such as his support for the now-defunct European Super League and the proposal to host World Cups biennially. The petition concluded by asserting that Infantino’s resignation is imperative for the integrity of FIFA and the future of football.