Former Portuguese soccer star Luis Figo has demanded the immediate resignation of FIFA president Gianni Infantino following the failure of a controversial financial plan. The collapse of the initiative, known as FIFA Forward Enterprise or FFE, has triggered the largest institutional crisis at the organization.
Figo, a former Real Madrid player and current advisor to UEFA, launched the campaign in a column for the British newspaper Daily Mail and later confirmed his comments on social media. Figo had previously supported Infantino during his election in 2016 as a leader promising regeneration.
In his column, Figo described Infantino's recent maneuvers as the lowest, most dishonest, and cowardly selfish behavior he had seen during his decades in sports. He stated he could write 10,000 words explaining the problems at FIFA, but said the solution comes down to four words that Infantino has to go.
Figo added that any executive who forced through changes to enrich himself and his friends belongs in the past and should not be part of the future of football. He also questioned why Infantino was not open about receiving 30 million dollars a year if the project was sound, noting that selling a financial stake means losing it forever.
Infantino Strategy in Morocco
Under intense media scrutiny, Infantino traveled to Salé near Rabat in Morocco, which has served as his primary political base and ally over the past decade. An investigation published by British newspaper The Times reported that Infantino is seeking to secure 54 votes from the Confederation of African Football to block potential removal efforts led by UEFA.
International news outlets reported that Infantino offered to award the 2030 World Cup final to Morocco at the unfinished Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, a venue planned for 115,000 spectators. Official FIFA spokespersons denied the claims and described them as pure fiction.
The reported negotiations sparked political tension in co-host nations Spain and Portugal, which expected the final match to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid. Infantino remained silent in Rabat as former players led by Figo called for structural changes ahead of upcoming election deadlines.
