GENEVA (AP) — A group of soccer fan groups around the world launched a petition Thursday calling for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA president after he attempted 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 never happens again.” for a business spin-off, which it abandoned amid furious backlash. Fan groups include Football Supporters Europe, Football Supporters Africa and, in North America, the Independent Supporters Council, plus around 40 national fan groups around the world. Infantino has resisted calls to leave office even though European soccer body UEFA says it has no confidence in him. He has also been criticized by the leaders of CONCACAF of North America and the Asian Football Confederation. Some of FIFA’s 211 member federations support Infantino, including Morocco, co-host of the 2030 World Cup, as well as Qatar, where he lived before the emirate hosted the 2022 World Cup, and Lebanon, which granted him citizenship this year. Saudi Arabia, the 2034 host, has not publicly endorsed Infantino despite its close political ties to the kingdom. “Gianni Infantino has demonstrated a profound failure of leadership, incompatible with democratic governance,” the fans’ petition states. “The concentration of power around the FIFA presidency, combined with opaque decision-making, cult-of-personality 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. FIFA was contacted for comment on the petition. Fans’ anger over World Cup ticket prices. The petition also cites Infantino’s past support for projects that outraged fans, including the failed European Super League project, pressure to hold World Cups every two years, which he resisted, and the “extortionate ticket sales policy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” $60 for the most loyal fans of each of the 48 teams. Football Supporters Europe is the official liaison for fans to UEFA and advises on ticket prices for European championships and club cup finals such as the Champions League.___See complete AP soccer coverage here
