UEFA advisor Luis Figo demanded Wednesday that FIFA President Gianni Infantino resign immediately, accusing the 56-year-old soccer leader of dishonesty and personal enrichment.
Writing in an op-ed published in the Daily Mail on August 5, the former Ballon d'Or winner and Portuguese international with 127 caps sharply criticized Infantino. Figo, who played professionally for 20 years with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, said he could write 10,000 words about the problems at FIFA, but the solution requires just three words: Infantino must leave.
Figo said that over his two-decade career he experienced many challenges, but the actions revealed over the past ten days represent the lowest, most deceitful, and most self-interested behavior he has ever seen. He added that the Swiss-Italian-Lebanese executive is a vestige of the past who has no place in the future of football.
Allegations of Greed and Political Influence
Figo wrote that Infantino dishonored the role of FIFA president after promising to elevate the office. He stated that Infantino lied, cheated, and sought personal wealth at the expense of the sport he was elected to serve.
Figo noted that Infantino lost the backing of his top staff, close advisors, most football workers, and even the winner of the FIFA Peace Prize. The comment targeted United States President Donald Trump, who has ceased responding to Infantino's calls for help despite their previous close ties.
Under Infantino's proposed and now cancelled plan, FIFA planned to sell shares worth several billion euros to private investors, including associates of the American president. Figo said it was dishonest not to mention that after handing victory to allies in Washington, Infantino was offered a job worth five times his current salary.
Infantino reportedly sought to raise his pay from 5 million euros to 55 million euros per year by taking charge of FIFA's planned commercial company. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly called Infantino directly to oppose the commercial plans.
Controversies at the 2026 World Cup
Figo detailed multiple abuses during the 2026 World Cup, including political intervention that led to the cancellation of a red card given to player Folarin Balogun following pressure from the White House. He also criticized the halftime show at the World Cup final, which ran for 27 minutes.
Despite the criticisms, Figo said it is too late to save Infantino's dignity, but not too late to save football. He urged FIFA to direct its estimated 5 billion dollars in reserve funds toward building pitches and training coaches so children worldwide can fall in love with the game.
Infantino recently held a secret crisis meeting in Morocco with organization members after finding himself isolated and weakened. He was the sole proponent of opening FIFA to private investment before abandoning the project under mounting pressure.
Widespread Opposition and Calls for Resignation
Opposition to Infantino's plan grew rapidly across global football bodies. Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino's right-hand man, resigned from his position and called the investment project a bad deal for football and its future.
UEFA threatened a total boycott of the World Cup, stating European national teams would not participate if the private investment initiative proceeded. UEFA maintained its boycott stance and demanded Infantino step down from the presidency.
The Asian Football Confederation joined UEFA and Concacaf in opposing the initiative. The French Football Federation and the French Minister of Sports also condemned the plan, stating it raised serious questions.
UEFA is now backing Paris Saint-Germain executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi for a potential run in the 2027 FIFA presidential election to replace Infantino.
