Luis Figo demands Infantino resign as FIFA crisis deepens

Luis Figo has launched a blistering attack on Gianni Infantino, demanding the FIFA president resign immediately over a plan to sell commercial rights to the World Cup to private investors. Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Portugal, Real Madrid and Barcelona star described Infantino's behaviour as "the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested" he had witnessed in football.

The intervention adds to a revolt that has seen Infantino's own senior leadership team, including his chief operating officer, general secretary and global development chief Arsène Wenger, publicly distance themselves from the proposal. The plan, which would have created a new commercial vehicle to manage World Cup revenues, was shelved at the weekend after it leaked.

What the plan involved

Infantino's proposal would have allowed private investors to buy stakes in a company controlling World Cup commercial rights, including sponsorship and broadcasting. He argued it would increase distributions to all 211 member associations. Opponents countered it risked handing control of football's most valuable asset to outside interests with no accountability to the game.

Reports have linked potential investors to Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner and part of Donald Trump's extended family, raising further questions about political influence. Infantino has denied any conflict of interest.

Senior staff break ranks

The scale of the internal rebellion is unprecedented. Infantino's senior adviser, chief operating officer, general secretary and Wenger, a FIFA Peace Prize recipient, all issued statements disowning the plan. Figo, who ran for the FIFA presidency in 2015 and has served as a UEFA football advisor since 2017, said the president had "lost the support of his senior staff, his closest advisers, the vast majority of people who devote their lives to this sport".

"He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest at the expense of the game he is supposed to serve. It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now."

Crisis talks in Morocco

Infantino is expected to hold emergency meetings with his inner circle in Morocco today as he attempts to contain the fallout. He has not publicly responded to Figo's attack. FIFA's next congress is scheduled for 2025, but pressure is building for an extraordinary session to address the governance crisis.

For a president who promised to restore trust after the Sepp Blatter era, the rebellion from within his own administration represents the gravest threat yet to his position.