A global coalition of soccer fan organizations initiated a petition on Thursday demanding the resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino following his proposal to sell future World Cup revenues to private investors. The petition, tagged InfantinOut, also advocates for the reconstruction of FIFA to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Infantino’s controversial plan to commercialize the World Cup was denounced by the fan groups, citing it as a betrayal to the sport. Despite facing backlash, Infantino abandoned the idea after widespread criticism.
Notable fan groups involved in the petition include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa, the Independent Supporters Council in North America, and approximately 40 national fan groups worldwide.
Despite mounting pressure, Infantino has refused to step down, despite UEFA expressing a lack of confidence in him. The fan petition accuses Infantino of a severe leadership failure and calls for his resignation to restore trust in FIFA.
The petition also highlights Infantino’s history of supporting contentious projects such as the failed European Super League initiative and advocating for more frequent World Cup tournaments.
Various soccer governing bodies, including UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, have voiced criticism against Infantino’s leadership. The petition emphasizes the need for Infantino to resign for the sake of FIFA’s credibility and the future of the sport.