‘Deceitful’ Infantino ‘must go’ says Luis Figo

Former Actual Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Figo has known as for “deceitful” Gianni Infantino to stop as stress mounts on the under-fire FIFA president.

Infantino is preventing to save lots of his job after a fierce backlash in opposition to his plan to dump stakes within the World Cup.

The 56-year-old needed to promote a 20% stake within the World Cup to non-public fairness buyers via his FIFA Ahead Enterprise.

The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and has been rejected by three continental confederations, forcing the FIFA chief to ditch his divisive concept.

In a bid to win again help after his divisive plot, Infantino held emergency talks with different FIFA administrators in Morocco on Wednesday, a supply advised AFP.

However former Portugal ahead Figo heaped stress on Infantino as he blasted the plan and demanded his resignation.

“I may write 10,000 phrases on the issues at FIFA. However the answer wants solely three: Infantino should go,” Figo wrote within the Each day Mail on Wednesday (August 5, 2026).

“I’ve beloved soccer all my life. I used to be knowledgeable participant for 20 years. And consider me, I’ve met some rogues in my time within the sport.

“However what I’ve seen uncovered within the final 10 days is the bottom, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I’ve ever witnessed.

“The person who would do this — the person who would attempt to power via such main modifications simply to complement himself and his pals — is a relic of the sport’s previous and should not have any half in its future.”

Infantino had defended his proposal by claiming it could enhance income for all FIFA member nations.

However his try and rush via the deal with out consulting Soccer Associations internationally, together with issues about doubtlessly taking part in an elevated World Cup each two years as a substitute of each 4, sparked a livid backlash.

A number of senior FIFA officers — together with former Arsenal supervisor Arsene Wenger — have lambasted Infantino’s behaviour.

Figo, who pulled out of the race to grow to be FIFA president in 2015, needs Infantino to step down instantly reasonably than look forward to his try and be re-elected subsequent 12 months.

“Infantino has debased the workplace of FIFA president that he promised to raise,” mentioned Figo, who received a number of trophies in his glittering taking part in profession.

“He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his personal nest on the expense of the sport he’s purported to serve.”

The 53-year-old added: “He has misplaced the help of his senior workers, his closest advisers, the overwhelming majority of people that dedicate their lives to this sport and even, it could appear, the FIFA Peace Prize winner (U.S. President Donald Trump).

“It’s too late to save lots of his dignity however it’s not too late to save lots of soccer. He ought to go. Now.”