{
  "id": 3046464,
  "title": "World Cup winners, FIFA legends say Infantino blinded by power",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/world-cup-winners-fifa-legends-say-infantino-blinded-by-power",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T15:06:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2025010/world-cup-winners-fifa-legends-say-infantino-blinded-by-power"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A coalition of former soccer stars, comprising World Cup victors and FIFA icons, has implored the world's soccer governing body for urgent reform, alleging that its leadership under incumbent President Gianni Infantino has been corrupted by power. Infantino finds himself under intense scrutiny to step down, following his abandonment of a proposal to establish a commercial entity for FIFA tournament rights, subsequently selling a 20% stake to private investors. The Swiss national has remained steadfast in his position, despite the opposition of multiple FIFA confederations, such as UEFA, the AFC, and CONCACAF, with rumors of a potential no-confidence vote circulating. Former players, including France's 1998 men's World Cup champions Emmanuel Petit, Bixente Lizarazu, and Robert Pires, alongside American women's world champion Briana Scurry and former England international Lucy Bronze, alongside others, expressed their shared apprehensions. They lamented the deterioration of the sport from its foundational values under FIFA's current governance. According to the group, \"We share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans around the world. Like them, we have watched the game we love drift away from its core values under FIFA's current leadership. Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football.\" The group, which also includes former players like Peru's Claudio Pizarro, Argentina's Juan Sebastian Veron, Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor, and FIFA legends Didier Drogba and David James, called for immediate action from all involved parties to rectify the sport's future. They urged for a renewed perspective that grants players and fans a direct say in football's governance. Infantino stands for re-election next year, yet regional soccer powerhouses are deliberating about initiating a vote of no confidence in him preceding the ballot, according to senior sources briefed on the matter.",
  "summary": "A group of former international players, including World Cup winners and FIFA legends, called on Monday for immediate change at world soccer’s governing body, saying its leadership under embattled President Gianni Infantino had been blinded by power. Infantino has been under mounting pressure to resign after shelving his now abandoned proposal to create a commercial body for FIFA tournament…",
  "key_points": [
    "Former soccer stars demand urgent FIFA reform, citing Infantino's power-driven leadership.",
    "Infantino faces pressure to resign after abandoning proposal for commercial entity.",
    "Former players express concerns over game's values eroding under FIFA governance."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "World Cup winners, FIFA legends say Infantino blinded by power",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/world-cup-winners-fifa-legends-say-infantino-blinded-by-power-3049081",
        "published": "2026-08-24T14:52:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "World Cup winners, Fifa legends say Infantino blinded by power",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/world-cup-winners-fifa-legends-say-infantino-blinded-by-power-3061050",
        "published": "2026-08-24T15:41:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}