A coalition of influential current and former footballers has intensified pressure on Fifa president Gianni Infantino, issuing a public call for change at the governing body and declaring 'enough is enough'. The statement was circulated widely across social media and has added to scrutiny surrounding Infantino's leadership.
The intervention is notable because some of those involved have formal links to Fifa through its "Fifa Legends" ambassador programme. Among the figures named in coverage of the circulation is Mikaël Silvestre, the former Manchester United and Arsenal defender, who also serves on Fifa's 16-member players' voice panel established to assist with anti-racism initiatives.
Signatories and supporters of the message accused the Fifa president of seeking excessive power at the organisation's helm and said that a change of leadership was necessary. The broad public nature of the statement, and the stature of some of the individuals associated with it, have made the appeal a focal point on social platforms.
The reaction within the football community has not been uniform. Samuel Eto'o, among the high-profile figures referenced in reporting, has publicly stated that he believes Infantino 'has not done anything wrong', signalling a division of opinion among prominent players and former players.
The dispute underscores tensions between parts of the playing community and the Fifa leadership, especially given the involvement of figures who have worked with the organisation in ambassadorial or advisory roles. The statement and the responses to it are likely to keep Fifa's governance under close public attention in the near term.