Mikaël Silvestre and former France players challenge Infantino

Opposition to Gianni Infantino has widened as former France internationals demand a major change at the top of FIFA. Their intervention adds pressure on the president as he seeks another mandate in March 2027 in Rabat, while the group also wants players and supporters to have a direct role in football’s strategic decisions.

Mikaël Silvestre, Emmanuel Petit and Bixente Lizarazu are among the figures behind a public statement issued on Monday, August 24, 2026. The text, titled “Trop, c’est trop”, condemns the way key decisions have been made without sufficient consideration for players or supporters. Its authors describe recent developments as evidence of an increasingly authoritarian direction and a loss of focus on football’s core values.

The dispute intensified after Infantino’s unsuccessful attempt to transfer part of World Cup revenues to private investors. FIFA abandoned the proposal and apologised at the start of August, but the former internationals say the episode exposed deeper problems. Their action comes as England, Sweden and Ireland are among the major federations reducing their support for the incumbent. By entering the debate, the former players intend to influence FIFA’s future and push for structural reforms.