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08/20/26 05:41:00
Printable Page
08/20 05:39 CDT Soccer fans launch global petition urging FIFA boss Infantino
to resign over World Cup 'betrayal'
Soccer fans launch global petition urging FIFA boss Infantino to resign over
World Cup 'betrayal'
By GRAHAM DUNBAR
AP Sports Writer
GENEVA (AP) --- A collection of soccer fan groups from around the world
launched a petition Thursday calling for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA
president after he tried to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.
The petition with the hashtag InfantinOut also calls for "FIFA to be rebuilt so
that the current debacle can never happen again."
"The shameful attempt by one individual --- the FIFA President himself --- to
sell off the World Cup to private investors exposed a betrayal football will
never forget," the petition said about Infantino's plan for a commercial
spinoff, which he dropped amid a furious backlash.
The fan groups include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa
and, in North America, the Independent Supporters Council, plus about 40
national fan groups worldwide.
Infantino has resisted calls to leave office despite European soccer body UEFA
saying it has no confidence in him. He has also been criticized by the
leadership of North America's CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation.
"Gianni Infantino has demonstrated a profound failure of leadership,
incompatible with democratic governance," the fan petition states. "The
concentration of power around the FIFA Presidency, combined with opaque
decision-making, personality cult clientelism, and zero accountability has
destroyed any remaining trust in the world governing body."
"For the credibility of FIFA --- and for the future of the game --- he must
resign," the petition adds.
It also cites Infantino's past support for projects that angered fans,
including the failed European Super League project and pushing to hold World
Cups every two years.
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