Munich [Germany], August 6: Former World Footballer of the Year Luis Figo has joined the criticism on FIFA president Gianni Infantino and wants him out immediately in the wake of a World Cup investor plan.
"I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go," the Portugal legend Figo wrote for British paper Daily Mail.
"I have loved football all my life. I was a professional player for 20 years. And believe me, I have met some rogues in my time in the game. But what I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed."
The column published on Wednesday came on the same day that the European Leagues group also condemned the investor plan and for when Infantino has reportedly summoned FIFA executives to Morocco for an emergency meeting in the wake of a massive backlash.
FIFA said last week Tuesday that, pending approval, it would set up a company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to oversee its commercial rights and operation of tournaments led by the World into which private investors could invest 20%. FFE was valued at $20 billion.
The plan was withdrawn early Saturday and Infantino, who has been on the job since 2016 and wants to be re-elected in March for a final four-year term, is under huge pressure.
UEFA, which threatened to boycott FIFA events if the plans had become reality, has said it has lost confidence in Infantino and FIFA and is "actively considering" legal action.
Other FAs and confederations also rejected the plans and Jordan FA president, Princi Ali Bin Al Hussein, said on Tuesday that they had been blackmailed when being told by FIFA they would only receive moned owed to them if he voted for Intantino at next year's election.
Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned last week and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom and FIFA's head of football development Arsene Wenger have also reportedly voiced criticism.
European Leagues said in a statement that "the overhelming rejection of this dangerous (investor) idea, and the opaque process behind it, raises serious questions about FIFA's governance, internal culture and decision-making."
The group also criticised a FIFA "research brief" sent last week regarding a World Cup expansion to 64 teams.
"Just like with the aborted FFE project, this new proposal involves an impractically short assessment timeline (just four weeks) and zero consultation with the leagues, clubs and players whose planning and livelihoods would be most affected," it said.
"Let us be clear: FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions that fly in the face of the leagues, clubs, players and fans whose sustained efforts and investment drive the value of international football competitions.
"Now more than ever, FIFA requires governance reform that ensures that all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions that shape the future of our game."
The statement referred to a 2024 complaint the group has lodged against FIFA at the European commission and said until there is full reform within FIFA "the European Leagues will reject the expansion or creation of FIFA competitions."
Figo, who had supported Infantino in the beginning, meanwhile said that he has now "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 has lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport and even, it would seem, the FIFA Peace Prize winner.
"It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now," Figo concluded.
Source: Qatar Tribune
