World Cup winners, Fifa legends say Infantino blinded by power

Former global football stars, including World Cup winners and distinguished Fifa legends, have called for urgent reform at the sport's governing body, citing a perceived loss of integrity under current leader Gianni Infantino. Infantino, who has led Fifa since 2016, has faced mounting pressure to resign after abandoning a plan to sell a 20% stake in tournament rights to private investors and establish a commercial body.

Despite opposition from several major confederations, including Uefa, the AFC, and CONCACAF, Infantino has shown no signs of stepping down. Former players such as Emmanuel Petit, Bixente Lizarazu, Robert Pires, Briana Scurry, Lucy Bronze, Claudio Pizarro, Juan Sebastian Veron, Emmanuel Adebayor, Didier Drogba, and David James have come together in a group urging for change.

They argue that the concentration of power within Fifa has distorted the organization's ability to prioritize the sport's core values over its own interests. The group demands a structural shift that grants players and fans a direct voice in football's governance, emphasizing that both on-field performers and spectators deserve a genuine say in shaping the future of the game.