Players demand overhaul as Infantino faces mounting criticism

On Monday, former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre posted on X a blunt appeal titled “Enough!&quot”, urging “change is necessary” at the helm of Fifa as the governing body faces mounting criticism of President Gianni Infantino and its recent plan to sell competition stakes.

A number of current and former footballers have rallied behind Silvestre’s call, saying they share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans worldwide. The announcement was accompanied by an Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption that highlighted Infantino’s appointment as Fifa president in 2016. The coalition cites Fifa's lack of consultation with Players' Voice Panel members as a core grievance.

Players demand structural reform

The message quickly spread on social media, amplified by England defender Lucy Bronze and former England goalkeeper David James. France's 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit also added his support, underscoring the cross‑national nature of the protest. Together they argue that recent decisions have drifted Football away from its core values under Fifa’s current leadership.

Central to the outcry is Infantino’s controversial plan to sell stakes in competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. Critics, led by the players’ coalition, claim the move threatens the integrity of Football and blurs the line between personal interests and the sport’s best. They reiterate the rallying cry, “Change is necessary”, warning that silence is no longer an option.

European bodies join the pressure

Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin has publicly ruled out any bid for the Fifa presidency, instead urging Infantino to resign or face a challenge at the March election. The European federation has even threatened to boycott all Fifa competitions, while the football associations of England, Wales and Scotland have withdrawn their support. The backlash follows the Fifa Forward Enterprise controversy that has kept Infantino under sustained pressure in recent weeks.

Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, now president of the Cameroonian Football Association, defended Infantino in a CNN interview on Monday. Eto’o argued that the project could have been incredible for Africa, resetting the balance of power and giving smaller nations a real seat at the World Cup. He praised Infantino for changing Football, creating opportunities for continents that previously lacked representation.

The coalition calls for unity from grassroots to the top of the game, demanding structural change that gives players and fans a real, direct say in how Football is run. It warns that power has blurred the leadership’s ability to distinguish its own interests from what is best for the sport, and that recent events have made silence impossible.