'Change is necessary' - players unite against Fifa
August 25, 2026 08:31
A group of current and former players publicly criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino and demanded leadership change, saying "change is necessary" in a statement circulated on social media. The message was issued by Mikael Silvestre — a member of Fifa's Players' Voice Panel — under the headline "Enough is Enough!" and was shared by players including Lucy Bronze, Emmanuel Petit and David James.
The statement condemns recent decisions at Fifa, complains players have not been consulted on major choices, and urges unity from grassroots levels up to the top of the game in support of structural reforms that would give players and fans a direct voice.
KEY CONTEXT
The criticism follows controversy over Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in competitions, reportedly including the World Cup, to private investors. That plan has contributed to wider uproar and the so-called Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) controversy referenced by several confederations.
Infantino’s leadership has attracted resistance from a number of national federations and confederations; Uefa has threatened to boycott Fifa competitions, and the football associations of England, Wales and Scotland have withdrawn support. Fifa’s Players’ Voice Panel — the 16-member body that Silvestre sits on — was established to monitor and advise on tackling racism in football.
WHY IT MATTERS
The dispute highlights a rift between players and Fifa’s executive direction at a time when governance and commercial proposals are under intense scrutiny. If players, national associations and confederations remain divided over the governing body’s proposals and leadership, it could affect how future competitions and governance reforms are negotiated and implemented.
Support for Infantino also exists: former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, now president of the Cameroonian FA, publicly defended him and said he believes Infantino has expanded opportunities for smaller nations and supported development in Africa.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether the collective call for "structural change" gains traction among more players, federations and confederations.
- Uefa’s stated threat of a boycott and Aleksander Ceferin’s expectation that Infantino could resign or face a challenge at an election next March.
- How Fifa responds formally to the players’ statement and to federations that have withdrawn support amid the FFE controversy.
KEY FACTS
- Mikael Silvestre published a social-media statement titled "Enough is Enough!" and sits on Fifa's Players' Voice Panel.
- The players’ statement opposes Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors.
- Lucy Bronze, Emmanuel Petit and David James shared Silvestre’s post.
- Uefa has threatened to boycott Fifa events; Aleksander Ceferin has said Infantino may resign or face an election challenge next March.
- England, Wales and Scotland’s football associations have withdrawn support amid the dispute.
- Samuel Eto'o has publicly defended Infantino and praised his impact on opportunities for smaller nations.