Football Stars Back Calls For Change As FIFA Pressure On Infantino Intensifies

A group of current and former footballers have joined the growing calls for change at the top of FIFA as pressure continues to build on world governing body president Gianni Infantino.

Ex-Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre led the intervention on Monday with a statement titled “Enough is Enough!” The 48-year-old, who is part of Fifa’s 16-strong Players’ Voice Panel, put the message on 𝕏, where it was backed by England defender Lucy Bronze, former France international Emmanuel Petit and ex-England goalkeeper David James.

The players said they had “the same concerns as the millions of fans around the world” and criticized Infantino’s controversial plan to sell stakes in major football competitions including the World Cup to private investors.

“We’ve watched the game we love be pulled away from its core values under Fifa’s current leadership,” the statement said.

“For too long we have seen major decisions made without players being consulted or considered and without any thought for the fans that keep the sport going.

The group called for “structural change” within FIFA and called for a greater role for players and supporters in how football is governed.

We need change. “Power has muddled the current leadership about what is best for them and what is best for football. Silence is no longer an option. Recent events

Silvestre’s involvement has lent more weight to the nascent opposition, given his position on FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel, which the governing body established to help monitor and advise its efforts to tackle racism in football.

The latest criticism comes as Infantino faces growing opposition to the FIFA Forward Enterprise controversy. Several football confederations and national associations have distanced themselves and UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA competitions.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also said he expects Infantino to quit or be challenged when FIFA holds its next presidential election in March. Football associations of England, Wales and Scotland have also withdrawn their support for FIFA president.

Some people still support Infantino, including former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o who has defended his leadership.

“I still believe that for us as Africans, this project was something that could have been incredible,” Eto’o told CNN on Monday.

“It would have restored the balance of power in football and ensured our talent doesn’t disappear and end up playing for other nations.

“Infantino has changed the game. He’s given opportunities to countries that didn’t have those opportunities to be a part of the most beautiful tournament, the World Cup. He provided smaller nations access to these competitions. He has helped our continent.” He’s helped our federations develop much more quickly, and we need to acknowledge that.”