A group of current and former football players has joined mounting criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling for structural changes within world football’s governing body and arguing that “change is necessary.”
French former Manchester United and France defender Mikaël Silvestre, a member of FIFA’s “Players’ Voice” committee, issued a statement on X on Monday titled “Enough is enough.”
The statement received support from several former football stars, including former England international Lucy Bronze, France’s 1998 World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit and former England goalkeeper David James.
The intervention comes amid growing controversy over a plan reportedly promoted by Infantino to sell stakes in major football competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.
The players said they shared concerns expressed by millions of football fans, accusing FIFA’s current leadership of moving the sport away from its core values.
“We have watched the game we love move away from its core values under the current FIFA leadership,” the statement said, according to the BBC. It also criticized what it described as major decisions being taken without adequate consultation with players or consideration for fans.
The statement argued that “change is necessary,” accusing FIFA’s leadership of becoming unable to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football.
It called for collective action to bring about “structural change” within FIFA and demanded a greater role for players and supporters in the governance of the sport.
Growing pressure on Infantino
The intervention comes as Infantino faces increasing pressure from several continental football bodies over the controversy surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has threatened a potential boycott of FIFA competitions and said he expected Infantino either to resign or face a challenger in next March’s FIFA presidential election.
Several national football associations, including those of England, Wales and Scotland, have also reportedly withdrawn their support for Infantino.
Silvestre’s involvement carries particular significance because he is a member of FIFA’s own Players’ Voice committee.
The 16-member committee was established by FIFA to advise on efforts to combat racism in football and provide players with a channel to contribute to the organization’s work.
His decision to publicly support calls for change therefore adds pressure from within FIFA’s own structures, as criticism of the organization’s leadership continues to grow.
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