Luis Figo joined the chorus calling for Gianni Infantino’s resignation on Wednesday in a scathing editorial in The Daily Mail.
The Barcelona and Real Madrid legend called the FIFA president’s actions over the past 10 days “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed.”
Infantino, first elected to office in 2016, has come under fire for a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private equity. After being roundly assailed for the plan, Infantino backed off of it days later. The backtrack hasn’t been enough to quell the voices calling for his resignation.
Figo, capped 127 times by Portugal, writes that Infantino’s plan is just another example of the way he’s held the office, bringing it into disrepute.
“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,” Figo said.
The 2000 Ballon d’Or winner says the only thing left for Infantino do now is leave.
“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 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. It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”
Infantino is expected to have a crisis meeting with senior FIFA staff in Morocco later on Wednesday in an attempt to manage the fallout.
