Luis Figo, 53, has stood alongside Gianni Infantino as a so-called 'FIFA Legend', a global ambassadorship that Infantino launched shortly after his election as FIFA president in 2016. Infantino often keeps FIFA Legends around him, including on his first full day as FIFA president in 2016, when he started his reign with a game of football at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Luis Figo became the first 'FIFA Legend' to fiercely speak out against Infantino, who's been scrutinised following the proposal for the 'FIFA Forward Enterprise', a subsidiary valued at $20 billion that would own FIFA tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, and sell a 20 per cent stake in the tournament.
"I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go," Figo said.
"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 former Ballon d'Or winner was one of the first footballing icons to join Infantino at FIFA, despite initially running against the Italian-Swiss executive at FIFA's presidential election in 2016.
Figo continued to lash out at Infantino and his desire to chair the 'FFE', a job which would come with an estimated annual salary of $30 million.
"The man who would do that - the man who would try to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends - is a relic of the game’s past and should have no part in its future," Figo continued in his column.
"If it was such a good idea, why not tell your members when you had them all in a room before the World Cup Final? If it was such a robust plan, why not tell your members the risks as well as what you describe as the benefits? 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's attack on Infantino follows a day after Jordanian FA president Prince Ali bin Hussein accused the FIFA president of 'blackmail', stating that FIFA's problem lies with its leadership.
Gianni Infantino called a crisis meeting with high-ranking FIFA officials in Rabat on Wednesday, one day after FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom sent an internal letter to FIFA staff, saying: "Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue..."
'He should go. Now.'
Figo closed out his firm statement against the FIFA president with one last call for Infantino to resign amid a big loss of support, reportedly including from U.S. President Donald Trump.
"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 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."
Paul Winters is Flashscore's Netherlands country manager, having previously worked for Flashscore's Netherlands desk. Paul is an expert on the Eredivisie and also specialises in the NFL, as well as a plethora of other sports. Residing in 'sunny' Katwijk, you can follow all of the news from the Netherlands here.
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