A coalition of soccer supporter groups worldwide has initiated a petition demanding the resignation of Gianni Infantino as FIFA president following his proposal to sell future World Cup revenue to private investors. The petition, dubbed InfantinOut, also urges for a restructuring of FIFA to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Describing Infantino’s attempt to commercialize the World Cup as a betrayal, the petition highlights the negative impact of his proposal and the subsequent backlash that led to its abandonment. Noteworthy among the signatories are Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa, the Independent Supporters Council in North America, and approximately 40 national fan associations globally.
Despite facing disapproval from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, Infantino has resisted stepping down. The petition criticizes his leadership style as undemocratic, citing issues such as centralized power, lack of transparency, favoritism, and lack of accountability within FIFA.
The petition emphasizes the necessity of Infantino’s resignation for FIFA’s credibility and the future of football, pointing out his controversial support for initiatives like the European Super League and the proposal to host World Cups biennially. The call for Infantino’s resignation comes amidst ongoing controversies surrounding FIFA’s commercial dealings and the growing dissatisfaction among soccer fans worldwide.