Luis Figo has called on Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA president, delivering one of the strongest public attacks yet on the embattled football chief as the fallout from the collapsed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal continues to deepen.The former Portugal captain, who has served as a UEFA football adviser since 2017, accused Infantino of putting personal interests ahead of football and insisted the FIFA president could no longer salvage either his position or his reputation after abandoning the controversial plan to sell minority stakes in FIFA’s flagship competitions to private investors.Figo’s intervention comes as Infantino faces mounting pressure from national associations, football confederations and senior figures within the sport following the collapse of the proposal, which reportedly would also have seen him assume a senior executive position carrying an annual salary of around $30 million.
Figo launches extraordinary attack on FIFA president
In a statement published by the Daily Mail, Figo accused Infantino of attempting to push through sweeping changes to world football without properly informing FIFA’s members, while suggesting the project would have primarily benefited the FIFA president and those close to him.“Nothing gets in the way of pleasing his friends,” Figo said, before describing Infantino’s conduct as “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.”The 2000 Ballon d’Or winner questioned why FIFA’s leadership had not openly presented the proposal before member associations gathered for the World Cup final.“If it was such a good idea, why not tell your members when you had them all in a room before the World Cup Final?” Figo asked.“If it was such a robust plan, why not tell your members the risks as well as what you describe as the benefits?”He also referenced reports that Infantino was set to become chief executive of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise.“If the scheme was a no-brainer, why not be honest about the fact that it was going to give you a $30m-a-year job at the end of it?” Figo continued.“But none of this was done. Because it’s not a good idea. It’s not robust when you fail to be transparent about the crippling returns that private equity always seek.”
Claims extend beyond the failed investment proposal
Figo suggested the failed World Cup investment scheme was only part of a much broader pattern under Infantino’s leadership.The former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan star—who made nearly 800 club appearances during his career, earned 127 caps for Portugal and has worked as a UEFA football adviser since 2017—said he could write “10,000 words” about the problems at FIFA before listing several examples he believes have damaged the governing body’s credibility.“It’s not bold when you fail to explain that once you have sold your share it is gone forever and you have disinherited your successors from ownership of the World Cup,” he said.“And it’s not honest when you fail to mention that, after you have delivered the head of the World Cup on a platter to your mates in DC, they are going to give you a job worth five times your current salary.”He then broadened his criticism beyond the FFE proposal.“None of this comes as a surprise when you consider the litany of abuses he has inflicted on football’s reputation,” Figo said.“From suspending and reversing disciplinary decisions to breaking the laws of the game over a half-time show, nothing gets in the way of pleasing his friends.”
Pressure continues to mount on Infantino
Figo’s comments add to the growing pressure surrounding Infantino after FIFA withdrew the FFE proposal following widespread opposition from across the football world.In recent days, senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned, FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said staff had been “deceived”, while FIFA’s chief of global football development Arsène Wenger stated that scrapping the proposal was “absolutely necessary and beyond question.”Potential successors have also begun to emerge behind the scenes, with CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani among the figures linked with a possible challenge should Infantino’s presidency come to an end.
“He should go. Now.”
Figo concluded his statement by arguing that the controversy had permanently undermined Infantino’s leadership and that remaining in office would only cause further damage to world football.“This plan, like the Super League before it, was blown apart by the media exposing every devious twist and turn before its advocates had their messaging straight. And thank goodness it was,” he said.“Infantino has debased the office of FIFA President that he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve.”“He has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the FIFA Peace Prize winner.”Figo ended with his clearest message yet to the FIFA president:“It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”
