'Infantino must go' - Portugal's Figo calls for change

Portuguese football legend Luis Figo has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, branding his conduct as the "lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour" he has ever witnessed. Figo, a former FIFA candidate in 2015, revealed that Infantino's plan to seek private investment in a company to run the World Cup was abandoned and that he now sees the need for major reforms within the organization.

Figo, a professional player for 20 years, expressed shock at the "litany of abuses" committed by Infantino, including suspending and reversing disciplinary decisions. The former FIFA candidate also criticized Infantino for breaking the rules of the game during the half-time show and for attempting to enrich himself and his friends at the expense of football's reputation.

Infantino's proposal to expand the World Cup to 64 teams has also faced criticism from the European Leagues, who deemed it "ill-conceived" and raised serious questions over FIFA's governance. The European Leagues argued that the proposed timeline of just four weeks and zero consultation with leagues, clubs, and players would have severe consequences for their planning and livelihoods.

Figo urged FIFA to undergo governance reform, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, including leagues, clubs, players, and fans, have a formal role in decisions that shape the future of the game. He stressed that until such reform is implemented, including legally binding engagement with all football stakeholders, the European Leagues will reject any expansion or creation of FIFA competitions.