AFCON 2025
Portugal football legend Luís Figo has called for the immediate resignation of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of putting personal interests above the game through an alleged plan to sell the FIFA World Cup to private investors.
In a strongly worded open letter published by the Daily Mail, Figo launched a scathing attack on Infantino following the collapse of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise project, claiming the FIFA boss had damaged the credibility of world football.
The former Portugal captain described the developments surrounding the proposed investment scheme as “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour” he has ever witnessed.
Figo alleged that the plan was designed to position Infantino for a lucrative role worth around $30 million annually once the deal was completed.
“If the scheme was a no-brainer, why not be honest about the fact that it was going to give you a $30m-a-year job at the end of it?” Figo wrote.
The 2000 Ballon d’Or winner accused Infantino of betraying the trust placed in him by the football community.
“Infantino has debased the office of FIFA President that he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve,” he added.
Figo also questioned FIFA’s justification for seeking outside investment, arguing that the governing body already has significant financial reserves.
“I mean the $5bn in FIFA’s reserves for a start. How many shares could that buy in this grubby, underhand plot? All of them! So there is no need for outside investment after all,” he said.
The Portuguese football icon further referenced allegations made by the Jordan Football Association, suggesting that Infantino had used FIFA funding as leverage to secure political support within the organisation.
The comments come amid growing scrutiny of FIFA’s governance and the handling of the now-collapsed investment proposal, with Infantino facing mounting pressure over the controversy.
FIFA has yet to publicly respond to Figo’s latest remarks.
