FIFA: 'Too late to save your dignity,' Luis Figo tells Infantino, calling for resignation

Former Portugal football star Luis Figo has publicly urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down, accusing him of failing to uphold the integrity of the sport's global governing body. Figo's call joins a chorus of voices within the football community demanding Infantino's resignation.

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Today I join others from across our game and call for Gianni Infantino to resign as FIFA President.

In a statement, Figo alleged that Infantino has "debased the office that he promised to elevate" and acted against the best interests of football. The former Real Madrid and Barcelona player claimed that Infantino has lost the trust of his own senior staff, advisors, and a significant number of individuals involved in the sport. "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," Figo stated.

Figo argued that while Infantino's "dignity" may be beyond saving, it is "not too late to save football." He concluded his remarks with an immediate call for the FIFA president's resignation.

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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.

Infantino has been under intense pressure following his controversial proposal to sell a 20% stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through a new entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise. This plan generated significant criticism and was ultimately rejected by three continental confederations, forcing Infantino to withdraw the divisive idea. In an attempt to regain support, Infantino reportedly held emergency talks with other FIFA directors in Morocco. His justification for the proposal was that it would increase revenue for FIFA member nations, but the attempt to fast-track the deal without broader consultation, coupled with concerns about a potential biennial World Cup, sparked a furious backlash from various football officials, including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

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while it was “too late to save his dignity,” it was “not too late to save football,”