Gianni Infantino told to 'go now' with furious statement issued after FIFA crisis meeting call

Football legend Luis Figo, who is currently a football advisor to UEFA, has claimed that Gianni Infantino can no longer "save his dignity" and has demanded that he quits as FIFA president.

Infantino's future at the top of FIFA has come under increasing doubt since he scrapped plans to sell minority stakes in the World Cup to a private investment company led by the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law.

The Swiss executive faced fierce opposition to the plans from across the footballing world, and a host of FIFA member associations have already withdrawn their letter of support for him to be re-elected as president in 2027.

He will host a crisis meeting with top FIFA officials on Wednesday evening as he battles to save his presidency.

READ MORE: Gianni Infantino makes drastic decision as FIFA president accused of 'blackmail'

Potential contenders to replace Infantino are already emerging behind-the-scenes, with CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani seen as a leading candidate.

The 60-year-old Canadian was previously head of Canada Soccer and was involved in preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

The Telegraph reported that Montagliani is seen by some as a 'unity figure' - something which will doubtless be exceptionally important given the way in which Infantino has alienated even some of those from within FIFA.

His senior advisor, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned on Friday after claiming he was not consulted over the private investment plan, while FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said FIFA staff were 'deceived' by the project.

Arsene Wenger, who is FIFA's chief of global football development, said he was also not involved in the plans and said the decision to scrap them was 'absolutely necessary and beyond question'.

From UEFA's perspective, president Aleksander Ceferin is reportedly pushing for members of European Football Clubs (EFC) to boycott the 2029 Club World Cup.

READ MORE: UEFA come up with new plan to oust Gianni Infantino during Super Cup final

Vice-president Laura McAllister, a former Wales international, stated that Infantino's plans represented a 'catastrophic proposal'. Aside from Ceferin, it is reported that McAllister and Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness were two of the leading voices in opposition of FIFA's plan at an emergency UEFA meeting held last Thursday.

But the most scathing remarks on the saga have arrived courtesy of Portugal legend Figo, who has been a football advisor for UEFA since 2017.

'Nothing gets in the way of pleasing his friends' - Figo slams Infantino, FIFA

In a extraordinary statement published by the Daily Mail, Figo described Infantino as having engaged in the "lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed", claiming he "tried to force through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends."

He added that he "could write 10,000 words on the problems at FIFA" but said he could narrow them down to three, stating that Infantino "must go".

"If it was such a good idea, why not tell your members when you had them all in a room before the World Cup Final?" Figo asked. "If it was such a robust plan, why not tell your members the risks as well as what you describe as the benefits?

"If the scheme was a no-brainer, why not be honest about the fact that it was going to give you a $30m-a-year job [Infantino was set to become the chief executive of FIFA Forward Enterprise, the private investment company due to be set up] at the end of it?

"But none of this was done. Because it's not a good idea. It's not robust when you fail to be transparent about the crippling returns that private equity always seek.

"It's not bold when you fail to explain that once you have sold your share it is gone forever and you have disinherited your successors from ownership of the World Cup. And it's not honest when you fail to mention that, after you have delivered the head of the World Cup on a platter to your mates in DC, they are going to give you a job worth five times your current salary."

"None of this comes as a surprise when you consider the litany of abuses he [Infantino] has inflicted on football's reputation," Figo continued. "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."

He concluded by telling Infantino that "it is too late to save his dignity" - before demanding that he resigns from his position.

"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."