A global coalition of soccer fan organizations has initiated a petition demanding the resignation of Gianni Infantino as FIFA president following his attempt to sell off future World Cup profits to private investors. The petition, tagged #InfantinOut, also advocates for a reconstruction of FIFA to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The petition condemns Infantino’s proposal for a commercial offshoot of the World Cup, labeling it as a disgraceful act that betrays the essence of football. Notably, Infantino abandoned the plan after facing severe criticism.
Among the fan groups partaking in the petition are Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa, and the Independent Supporters Council in North America, alongside approximately 40 national fan associations globally.
Despite mounting pressure, Infantino has refused to step down, despite disapproval from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation leadership. The petition accuses Infantino of a significant leadership failure and a lack of transparency, leading to a loss of trust in FIFA.
The petition urges Infantino to resign for the sake of FIFA’s credibility and the future of the sport. It highlights Infantino’s history of supporting controversial projects such as the European Super League and advocating for biennial World Cups.