Portugal great Luis Figo has said embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino must go in a blistering op-ed in the Daily Mail.
Figo did not hold back on Infantino, who has been under fire due to his abandoned effort to bring private investment into the structure of the World Cup.
“What I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behavior I have ever witnessed,” Figo said of Infantino’s push to lure in outside investors.
Infantino has been heavily criticized not only for the plan itself, but the secretive way he conceived the idea.
FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said last week that the controversial proposal was “the project of one person.”
Other top FIFA officials have concurred. Former U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro, who was a senior adviser for Infantino, quit last week due to the proposal.
“Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” Cordeiro said.
Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino look on after presenting the trophy.
1 / 16Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino look on after presenting the trophy.
2 / 16Trump shakes hands with Lionel Messi after the game.
3 / 16Spain captain Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy while Trump and Infantino look on.
4 / 16FIFA president Gianni Infantino shows the winners’ medal to Trump.
5 / 16Spain celebrates with the World Cup trophy as Trump and Infantino look on
6 / 16Spain captain Rodri lifts the World Cup trophy while Trump and Infantino look on.
7 / 16Infantino and Trump hand the World Cup trophy to Spain.
8 / 16Infantino and Trump carry the World Cup trophy to present to spain.
9 / 16Infantino and Trump carry the World Cup trophy to present to spain.
10 / 16Infantino and Trump before the trophy presentation.
11 / 16Trump gives Lionel Messi his runner-up medal.
12 / 16Trump shakes hands with Lionel Messi after the game.
13 / 16Trump gives Lionel Messi his runner-up medal.
14 / 16Spain players celebrate with the trophy while Infantino tries to get Trump off the stage.
15 / 16Trump presents Lamine Yamal with a World Cup winner’s medal.
16 / 16Infantino and Trump congratulate Spain players.
UEFA and Concacaf have also expressed dismay at Infantino’s secretive planning in statements expressing a lack of confidence in his continued leadership at FIFA.
Figo, one of the greatest players of his generation who starred for Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter in a 20-year career, hit a similar line of criticism.
“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?” the 53-year-old said.
“If it was such a robust plan, why not tell your members the risks as well as what you describe as the benefits?
“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?”
The Times reported that Infantino planned on running the new venture starting in 2031, when his final term as FIFA president would expire.
Though Infantino is under growing pressure, it is still unclear if he will be removed. He is up for re-election in March and appears unlikely to resign before then.
For Figo, though, the sooner Infantino leaves the better.
“Infantino has debased the office of FIFA President that he promised to elevate,” Figo said. “He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve.”
He concluded: “It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”
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