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Current and former footballers demand leadership change at FIFA

Prominent players have backed a statement calling for structural reforms as FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces growing pressure from European football bodies.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 07:22 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • A coalition of current and former football players published a statement demanding structural changes at FIFA and criticizing the governing body's current leadership.
  • The backlash follows FIFA President Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in tournaments like the World Cup to private investors, alongside ongoing fallout from the FIFA Forward Enterprise controversy.
  • UEFA has threatened to boycott FIFA events and requested an election next March, while several British national associations have withdrawn their support for Infantino.
  • Cameroonian Football Association President Samuel Eto'o defended Infantino, citing his contributions to African football development and expanded tournament access.

Key facts

  • Mikael Silvestre, a member of FIFA's Players' Voice Panel, published a statement titled 'Enough is Enough!' calling for structural reform and direct player input in FIFA's governance.[BBC News]
  • The statement was shared on social media by prominent figures including Lucy Bronze, Emmanuel Petit, and David James.[BBC News]
  • UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin expects Infantino to resign or face a leadership election in March, and UEFA has threatened a boycott of all FIFA competitions.[BBC News]
  • The football associations of England, Scotland, and Wales have withdrawn their support for Infantino.[BBC News]
  • Samuel Eto'o, head of the Cameroonian Football Association, publicly defended Infantino, stating the FIFA president helped develop African football federations and expand opportunities for smaller nations.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether Infantino will resign or face a formal leadership challenge in the proposed March election remains unresolved.[BBC News]

Sources