Luis Figo, the former Portuguese football star, has publicly demanded that Gianni Infantino step down from his position as FIFA president. Figo contends that Infantino has failed to maintain the integrity expected of football’s primary governing body, effectively damaging the office he pledged to improve. According to Figo, Infantino has alienated key advisors, high-ranking staff, and a broad segment of the global football community.
The call for resignation follows intense pressure on Infantino regarding a controversial proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors. This plan, intended to be managed through FIFA Forward Enterprise, faced overwhelming opposition from three continental confederations and was ultimately abandoned. Critics, including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, rebuked Infantino for attempting to force the deal through without consulting global football associations.
In an effort to stabilize his leadership, Infantino held emergency discussions with fellow directors in Morocco. While he argued that his investment plan would have boosted revenue for member nations, the attempt sparked significant anger, compounded by anxieties over proposals to hold the World Cup every two years. Figo maintained that although Infantino’s personal reputation might be beyond repair, an immediate resignation remains necessary to protect the future of the sport.
