‘Infantino Out’: Global soccer fans launch petition demanding FIFA chief resign

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been under growing pressure as the global soccer fans across the world launched a petition on Thursday, demanding the boss resign after the World Cup sell-off plan.

The petition comes with the hashtag InfantinOut and also called 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 read.

The fan petition also states, “Gianni Infantino has demonstrated a profound failure of leadership, incompatible with democratic governance. 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.”

The petition is the response to Infantino's controversial plan to sell-off FIFA stakes to private investors. But these plans sparked global outrage especially among the association members. In the wake of such a controversial plan, the World Cup governing body dropped these plans.

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.

Earlier, the fifth FIFA vice-president refused to support Infantino and criticized his professional judgement, leadership and ethical standards, indicating the deepening leadership crisis at the football governing body.

Till now, the chief has opposed growing calls to leave office despite UEFA’s opposition and assertion of losing confidence in Infantino’s leadership.