Infantino’s exit can’t come soon enough

The ongoing legal battle faced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino has become a prominent topic overshadowing major football events. UEFA, the European governing body, is preparing criminal claims against Infantino in Switzerland for alleged mismanagement under the Swiss Criminal Code. Infantino has countered these accusations with claims of a witch hunt, likely influenced by his proximity to the U.S. administration.

This has led to Samuel Eto'o, a former Barcelona striker and Cameroon Football Federation head, urging African football peers to support Infantino. Eto'o believes Infantino has helped African federations develop rapidly, and that the Global South's perception of FIFA should not be overshadowed by Infantino's critics. UEFA, North and Central American federations, and most Asian federations should accompany their calls for FIFA reform with guarantees that southern members will not be left behind.

The anti-Infantino alliance has momentum that should be used to swiftly remove him from FIFA. Despite the potential moral and legal reasons for Infantino's removal, removing him is crucial to allow the true issues overshadowing the football world to be addressed.