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Multiple soccer federations, coaches, and senior officials have spoken out against FIFA and president Gianni Infantino over recent weeks. Now, some of the sport's all-time greats are adding their voices to the debate.
Infantino faced immediate backlash late last month when his $20 billion scheme to sell stakes in future World Cups and other FIFA tournaments to private investors was exposed. Soccer confederations, most notably UEFA, criticized not only the now-scrapped plan's details, but also its lack of transparency, absence of internal consultation, and its apparently deliberate secrecy.
While a handful of nations and individuals have expressed firm backing for Infantino, most of the soccer world has distanced itself from him ahead of the presidential election next March. Some of the greatest players to ever grace the sport have now entered the fray.
Mikaël Silvestre Leads the Charge Against FIFA
Former Manchester United defender Mikaël Silvestre, who currently serves on FIFA's Players' Voice Panel, posted a strongly-worded statement to social media on Monday. It has since been shared by fellow Frenchman, 1998 World Cup winner and Arsenal icon Emmanuel Petit, along with England defender Lucy Bronze of Chelsea, and former England goalkeeper David James, who spent many years in the Premier League, including seven seasons at Liverpool.
"As players, football has given us everything, and we have given our lives to it," the statement read. "Between us, we have played on its greatest stages and worn our national shirts with pride. But we know that none of our achievements would've been possible without the fans, whose passion and commitment is the foundation of this game.
"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.
"For too long, we've seen major decisions taken without players being consulted or considered, and without any regard for the fans who sustain the sport."
Much like the calls from UEFA and Concacaf, the soccer legends are demanding a leadership change: Infantino, after a decade at the top, removed from the presidential position.
"Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership's ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football. Recent events have made silence impossible.
"Enough is enough."
Samuel Eto'o Voices Emphatic FIFA Support
Amid Monday's wave of criticism, one voice of support emerged. Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o, now serving as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, offered strong backing for Infantino and his proposal to sell World Cup stakes through the now-defunct FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
"I don't think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong," he told CNN News. "...I am convinced the voices that were raised [against Infantino], those are not the voices of the majority."
The entire Confederation of African Football (CAF), while acknowledging that Infantino made some missteps, rallied behind the president earlier this month despite widespread opposition from other confederations. African nations have experienced considerable growth in the sport during Infantino's time in charge. CAF had a record number of African nations competing at a World Cup this past summer: 10 in the expanded 48-team format, nine of which advanced to the knockout stages — the highest advancement rate for CAF to date. That compares to 40% in 2022, 0% in 2018, and 40% in 2014.
"President Gianni Infantino has transformed football," Eto'o added, despite Cameroon not being among the 10 competing nations this summer. "He's opened doors for nations that previously had no opportunity to participate in the greatest tournament, the World Cup. He enabled smaller nations to earn seats at these competitions.
"He has helped our continent. He's helped our federations develop far more rapidly, and we need to acknowledge that. We need to accept and recognize what he's done, and we should support him for everything he's accomplished up to now."
"I don't think that President Gianni Infantino has done anything wrong."
In an exclusive interview with @AmandaDCNN, President of the Cameroonian Football Federation and famed former player @SamuelEtoo shares his support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. pic.twitter.com/xwzRt76RvR
Smaller African nations had much to gain from Infantino's controversial proposal. Before pulling the plug, Infantino tried to drum up support by offering a total $10 billion package to FIFA's 211 member associations, amounting to roughly $40 million per nation. While $40 million may seem modest for UEFA members — a confederation that generated $5.1 billion (€4.4 billion) in revenue from men's club competitions alone in 2024–25 — for CAF members, it could represent a substantial investment. CAF reported a net profit of just $9.48 million for the 2023–24 financial year, the first time in several years the confederation finished in the black.
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"The bigger nations dominated the media coverage. They shared their perspective, and President Gianni Infantino wanted to keep the football family united, so he chose to withdraw the project," Eto'o said.
"I remain convinced that for us as Africans, this project was something that could have been extraordinary. It would have rebalanced the power structure in football to ensure that our talent doesn't disappear and end up representing other nations."
He is hopeful the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal will be revisited if Infantino wins re-election: "I want to see all of my colleagues, all of the presidents, re-reading the project. After President Infantino is re-elected, we will have the strength to ask for this project to be put back on the table for discussion. If there is a democratic vote, this project will be adopted because it's good for the majority."