Luis Figo has launched an extraordinary attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, describing his attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup as “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed”.
The former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Portugal star lashed out at Infantino, whose plan has now been abandoned following widespread opposition that has left him clinging on to his role as the head of the global game’s governing body.
The initial idea was to sell a percentage of the commercial rights to FIFA’s flagship events, including the men’s and women’s World Cup, to investors and form a new subsidiary – FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). FIFA said Thrive Eternal, an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner – the brother of US president Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared – would lead the investor group.
It had been reported Infantino would become the CEO of FFE and command an annual salary akin to that of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who earns around $64m a year. Infantino’s current approximate salary is $6m.
Figo was deeply unimpressed and, in a letter published in the Daily Mail, wrote: “I could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA. But the solution needs only three: Infantino must go.
“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 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.”
Infantino fights to save his job
Infantino is currently in Moroccan city Rabat, meeting other senior FIFA officials, many of whom have already distanced themselves from the idea.
The Swiss will continue to fight to save his job but Figo, who is an adviser to UEFA – the most outspoken of the confederations in the desire to see Infantino sacked, is adamant he should go now.
He added: “None of this comes as a surprise when you consider the litany of abuses he has inflicted on football’s reputation; from suspending and reversing disciplinary decisions to breaking the laws of the game over a half-time show, nothing gets in the way of pleasing his friends.
“Football does need a discussion about money. But not the money that could go out of the game to investors or on bloated administrator salaries.
“I mean the money that should be spent on building pitches and training coaches to make sure that every child in the world has the chance to fall in love with the most beautiful sport on the planet.
“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.”
Infantino has lied and deceived – Figo
Figo continued: “This plan – like the Super League before it – was blown apart by the media exposing every devious twist and turn before its advocates had their messaging straight. And thank goodness it was.
“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 [Trump].
“It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”
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