Real Madrid legend implores ‘deceitful’ Gianni Infantino to resign as Fifa president

Luis Figo, a revered figure in football history, has called on Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA president amid mounting criticism. Infantino's attempts to sell stakes in the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments to private investors were abandoned last week after widespread backlash, including a Uefa boycott of FIFA events. This led to Jordan FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accusing Infantino of "blackmail."

Figo, who had been a contender for the FIFA presidency in 2015 before Sepp Blatter's downfall, has harshly criticized Infantino's actions as "the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed." The former Portuguese star, now a Uefa adviser, stated that only three solutions are needed to address FIFA's problems: Infantino must resign.

Figo listed several abuses committed by Infantino, such as the Folarin Balogun issue at the World Cup and extending the halftime break for a musical show during the World Cup final. He further accused Infantino of degrading the office of FIFA president, lying, deceiving, and attempting to enrich himself and his friends at the expense of the sport.

Figo emphasized that Infantino has lost the support of his senior staff, closest advisers, and even Donald Trump, the FIFA Peace Prize winner. Despite being criticized, Infantino called a crisis meeting with FIFA's senior leaders in Morocco on Wednesday, seeking to defend his position.