Luis Figo calls for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA President
Former Barcelona and Real Madrid star Luis Figo has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign, citing what he describes as “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed”, reports BritPanorama.
The comments come in the wake of an emergency meeting held by Infantino after his controversial sell-off plan collapsed last week. Figo expressed strong disappointment, accusing Infantino of abusing football’s governing rules to “please his friends”, thus failing the integrity of the sport.
Figo, who briefly ran for FIFA’s presidency in 2015, remarked, “I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.” He emphasized his lifelong passion for football and the professional experiences that formed his view of Infantino as a detriment to the game’s future.
Further detailing his concerns, Figo stated, “None of this comes as a surprise when you consider the litany of abuses he has inflicted on football’s reputation; 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.” He concluded that Infantino has diminished the office of the FIFA President, which he originally pledged to elevate.
In response to the backlash, Infantino recently shelved his project to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), aimed at enhancing FIFA’s commercial profile and allowing for the sale of a significant stake to private investors. Infantino acknowledged the project “created divisions” within the sport and emphasized his intention to unite stakeholders moving forward, stating, “Our purpose has always been – and will always be – to unite and improve.”
The unfolding situation underscores the escalating tensions within FIFA, particularly as former players and officials challenge its leadership amid ongoing scrutiny over governance practices. With Figo’s call for change echoing among critics, the integrity of football’s global governing body remains under serious examination.
In an era where the sport’s governance is as pivotal as the matches themselves, Figo’s outburst points to a larger conversation about accountability. The ball is now firmly in FIFA’s court—and the next move could prove critical for its future legitimacy.
