Former Portugal captain and Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo has called for the immediate resignation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing the football governing body’s leadership of “self-interest, deception and abuse of power” and raising concerns over financial transparency and governance.
According to IRAF, Figo issued a strongly worded statement criticizing FIFA’s current administration, saying the organization’s leadership has lost credibility amid growing concerns over transparency and decision-making.
A central focus of his criticism was FIFA’s handling of a plan involving the transfer of part of the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup. Figo questioned why member associations were not informed of the financial details before the proposal became public.
“If this project was truly in the interests of football, why were FIFA members not given access to its details before its public announcement?”
Figo said.
“There is no justification for secrecy on this scale.”
The former Portugal international also referred to recent allegations made by Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who claimed that pressure had been exerted on some national football associations. Figo said reported changes to disciplinary decisions and alleged interference in competition regulations had undermined confidence in FIFA’s governance.
Figo, who previously sought the FIFA presidency, said the organization needed greater transparency and accountability, adding that its current leadership should step aside.
His remarks come amid broader criticism of FIFA over governance, commercial expansion and the growing congestion of the international football calendar, issues that have drawn increasing scrutiny from former players and football officials.
