Luís Figo, the former Portuguese football star, has issued a sharp critique of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, labeling his recent management as 'deceitful' and 'self-interested.' The criticism stems from Infantino’s attempt to secure private investment for the World Cup, a proposal that faced significant opposition from UEFA and other football governing bodies. Following the intense backlash, Infantino was forced to abandon the plan.

In response to the controversy, Infantino has reportedly called an emergency meeting with FIFA staff to address his leadership position. The situation has intensified pressure on the president, with other figures in the football world, such as Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of the Jordan Football Association, also voicing concerns regarding the current direction of the organization. While Figo explicitly stated that Infantino must step down to 'save football,' the FIFA president has not yet publicly addressed the specific calls for his resignation beyond the internal meetings held this week.