Arsenal, Man Utd and England heroes among football icons blasting Gianni Infantino and fume ‘we will be silent no more’

A HOST of football legends including Emmanuel Petit and Lucy Bronze have shared an open letter turning on Gianni Infantino. The statement was also posted by ex-Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre, who is on Fifa’s Players’ Voice panel. Emmanuel Petit is among the signatories of the open letter Credit: Getty They are demanding a change at the top of world football – and for Gianni Infantino to go Credit: Reuters Infantino is on thin ice in his role as Fifa President following his deeply controversial plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments for £20billion. The Swiss chief, 56, backtracked and U-turned on his money-grabbing scheme but has lost the support of much of football – including some inside Fifa and its member associations and confederations. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Now in the latest blow to Infantino, they have turned on him with a bruising statement – although opted against naming him directly. The post reads: “As players, football has given us everything, and we have given our lives to it. “Between us, we have played on its greatest stages and worn our national shirts with pride. “But we know that none of our achievements would’ve been possible without the fans, whose passion and commitment is the foundation of this game. “We share the exact same concerns as the millions of fans around the world. Like them, we have watched the game we love drift away from its core values under Fifa’s current leadership. “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. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football. “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. “This is a call that unites us all, from the grassroots to the top of the game. “There are good people within Fifa who want to rebuild trust, but a new era requires a structural change: a real, direct say for players and fans in how football is run. “Those who step onto the pitch and those who sit in the stands deserve a genuine voice to help reshape football’s future together. “The football community has been quiet for too long. “For the fans, for the players, and for the good of the game, we will be silent no more.” Mikael Silvestre posted the statement on his social media Credit: Kenny Ramsay Lucy Bronze shared it on her Instagram story Credit: Getty Uefa, AFC and Concacaf co-signed a letter accusing Infantino of “breaking trust through deception” and calling for new leadership. They are desperate to get him out before he tries to go for re-election for a fourth term in office in March. The trio of confederations are even willing to boycott the next World Cup if Infantino stays in post – and may launch their own rival tournament. Infantino also came under fire for awkwardly trying to make a bald joke when grilled by a Sky News journalist. Since the news of his outrageous Fifa stake came to light, it has also been reported that the chief tried to stage an Under-15s World Cup with all 211 nations, staged by Disneyland with Israel vs Palestine the opening match. It was also revealed in bombshell documents that Infantino was actually plotting to partner with the rebel breakaway European Super League – and it could even have been called the Fifa Super League. Elsewhere, Uefa reportedly paid off a six-figure sum to an alleged mistress of married Infantino while he was general secretary. Fifa chief operating officer Kevin Lamour was sacked after speaking out against the World Cup scheme while Infantino’s senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro became the first victim. More to follow… Comment now