Former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre, a member of FIFA's Players' Voice Panel, has joined calls for Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA president, citing a need for change and a drift from core values.
The growing chorus of dissent from prominent players and football organizations against FIFA President Gianni Infantino signals potential instability within the sport's governing body and could impact its future leadership and policies.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino is facing renewed calls to step down, with former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre joining the dissent. Silvestre, a member of FIFA's Players' Voice Panel, posted a statement titled "Enough is Enough" on social media, asserting that change is necessary and that the current leadership has lost sight of what is best for football.
Silvestre criticized the lack of player consultation in major decisions and the disregard for fans, stating that "Recent events have made silence impossible." He added that the sport has drifted from its core values under the current FIFA leadership and called on all stakeholders to help reshape the future of the game.
The statement was amplified by prominent figures such as Lionesses defender Lucy Bronze, former England goalkeeper David James, and French World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit, who shared it on their social media platforms. This latest development poses a challenge to Infantino's prospects for re-election next year, despite support from leaders in Africa and South America. However, the confederations of Europe, Asia, and North and Central America and the Caribbean have reportedly lost faith in FIFA's current leadership.
Silvestre, who was appointed to FIFA's Players' Voice Panel last year to address racism and equality, has no prior history of activism. Global footballer's union Fifpro has endorsed Silvestre's call, emphasizing that players have the right to voice concerns and influence decisions affecting the sport. Fifpro stated that reforms are indispensable to restore confidence and embed professional footballers' representation in decision-making processes.