Current, Former Footballers Unite In Call For Change At FIFA

A coalition of current and former international footballers has publicly challenged FIFA President Gianni Infantino, issuing a sharp rebuke of the global governing body’s direction and demanding structural reform at its highest levels.

The statement, titled “Enough is Enough!”, was posted on X by former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre, who serves on FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel.

The post quickly gained traction across social media, drawing endorsements from prominent figures including England defender Lucy Bronze, 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit, and former England goalkeeper David James.

The coordinated action comes in direct response to Infantino’s recently floated proposal to sell equity stakes in FIFA-owned competitions—including the World Cup—to private investment firms.

In their statement, the players asserted that they “share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans around the world” regarding the commercial direction of the sport.

The signatories delivered a sweeping critique of FIFA’s internal decision-making, arguing that the organisation has abandoned its foundational principles under Infantino’s tenure.

“We have watched the game we love drift away from its core values under FIFA’s current leadership,” the statement read.

Central to their grievance is a perceived lack of consultation with those most directly affected by regulatory and commercial changes. “For too long we’ve seen major decisions taken without players being consulted or considered, and without any regard for the fans who sustain the sport,” the text added.

The statement stops short of explicitly calling for Infantino’s resignation but makes clear that the players view his administration as the primary obstacle to restoring trust.

With the 2026 World Cup expansion and increased match calendars already under scrutiny, the group’s declaration signals growing unrest among the playing community ahead of FIFA’s next major policy meetings. FIFA had not issued an official response at the time of publication.