TARTAN Army members are among dozens of international fan groups to launch a major petition calling for the resignation of Gianni Infantino as Fifa president.
Infantino is under pressure after being forced to abandon plans to seek private investment in a company to run Fifa tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.
Three continental confederations accused Infantino of “deception” in an open letter last week over the manner in which the plan was devised and presented, with European football’s governing body Uefa still intent on boycotting Fifa events having “lost confidence” in Infantino’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the Scottish FA confirmed earlier this week that it would not be voting to re-elect Infantino as Fifa president next year.
Infantino does still retain support, notably in Africa and South America, but now fans’ organisations have called on him to step down, with a petition launched on Wednesday.
“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,” a statement on behalf of the fan organisations said.
“Infantino’s plan was stitched together in secret. Negotiated behind closed doors. Hidden from Fifa's own members and from the millions of people whose passion makes football what it is.”
Individual fans are being encouraged to sign the petition, which already has support across all six Fifa confederations spanning continental and national fan groups.
This includes two Scottish fan groups – the Association of Tartan Army Clubs and Supporters Direct Scotland.
The private investor plan is seen by the fan organisations as the final straw, on top of Fifa's involvement in discussions around the European Super League and its ticket pricing policy at this summer’s men’s World Cup
“A president who repeatedly betrays football and makes a mockery of our game has lost the right to lead it,” the statement continued.
“For the credibility of Fifa – and for the future of the game – he must resign.”
The petition also calls for reform of Fifa itself, including the formal involvement of supporters and other key football stakeholders in decisions that shape the future of the game.
Ronan Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe (FSE) which is a signatory to the petition, said: “The departure of Gianni Infantino is a first and a must, but that can only have a positive impact if it’s followed by some reform of the office and of governance.
“If a man can concentrate so many powers then the governance of Fifa is not fit for purpose.
“(Fifa) needs to start from scratch. All the reforms from 2016 have been erased or made irrelevant by Infantino. I think we need to be as open-minded as possible on the future of football governance and there are other models outside of football, outside of sport, that need to be looked into – the idea of rotating presidencies seems interesting.”
Click here to view the petition.
The National has approached Fifa for comment.
