Pressure is mounting on FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with prominent current and former footballers issuing formal statements calling for his resignation. The dissent follows a controversial plan to sell stakes in a company that would manage the World Cup to private investors.

Mikael Silvestre, a former Manchester United and France defender and a member of FIFA's Players' Voice Panel, publicly stated, "Enough is enough!" This sentiment was echoed by other notable figures, including World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit and Lionesses star Lucy Bronze.

The joint statement, shared widely, indicated that these players "share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans around the world." It further expressed that "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." The statement concluded that "Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership's ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football."

Silvestre's involvement is particularly noteworthy as he is part of the Players' Voice Panel, a 16-member group established by FIFA to advise on initiatives aimed at combating racism. The statement emphasized that "Recent events have made silence impossible. Enough is enough. We call on all stakeholders to step forward and help reshape the future of our sport."

Separately, Cristiano Ronaldo was recently filmed interacting with Infantino at the Esports World Cup in Paris. Social media commentary suggested the encounter was not a positive one, with Ronaldo appearing to grimace after their brief exchange. During their meeting, Infantino referenced Ronaldo's pursuit of 1,000 career goals, wishing him luck.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has also voiced criticism, stating that Infantino faces two options: either he recognizes a lack of support from the football community and fans, or he contests the upcoming elections in March, where he is likely to face a challenger.

Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF and a FIFA vice-president, has been mentioned as a potential rival candidate. CONCACAF, along with UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has rejected Infantino's private investor plan, with CONCACAF presidents describing it as a "deception" in an open letter.