On August 5, – Portuguese legend Figo published an article in the Daily Mail column criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Figo's Column

I could write 10,000 words describing the current problems within FIFA. But the solution requires only three words: Infantino must go.

I have loved football my entire life. I played professionally for 20 years. Believe me, in my many years in football, I have seen plenty of disreputable characters. But what has been exposed in the past 10 days is the most vile, deceptive, and shameless pursuit of personal gain I have ever witnessed in my career.

A person who would do such things – someone who tries to push such major reforms just to benefit himself and his friends – is a relic of football's past and should not be involved in its future. If this were truly such a great plan, why didn't you present it to all members when they were gathered in one room before the FIFA World Cup final?

If this were such a perfect and reliable proposal, why wouldn't you simultaneously inform members of the risks involved, as well as the so-called benefits you described? If this plan were truly “uncontroversial,” why didn't you honestly state that it would ultimately land you a job with an annual salary of $30 million?

But none of these things happened. Because it's not a good idea. When you don't transparently explain the huge returns that private equity investors inevitably seek, and the heavy impact these returns might bring, the plan cannot be considered reliable.

When you fail to explain clearly that once you sell your shares, this part of the equity will be gone forever, and you will also deprive your successors of the inheritance of the FIFA World Cup ownership, it cannot be called bold.

When you don't mention that after you "hand over" the core interests of the FIFA World Cup to your "friends in Washington," they will offer you a job worth five times your current salary, it's certainly not honest.

Given Infantino's previous actions that have damaged football's reputation, none of this is actually surprising. From suspending and overturning disciplinary decisions to violating football rules for halftime entertainment, it seems there's nothing that will stop him from pleasing his friends.

Nor is it surprising after reading the comments from Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association. Prince Ali once pointed out that FIFA under Infantino exhibited "mafia-like" behavior – to ensure this serious reign of personal interest could continue, FIFA even hindered the work of the Jordan Football Association and affected related funding, just to obtain a letter of nomination supporting his re-election.

Football does need to discuss money. But not money that might flow out of football and to investors, nor continually inflating administrative salaries. The money I'm talking about is money that should be used to build more football pitches, train more coaches, and give every child in the world the chance to fall in love with the most beautiful sport on the planet.

For example, the $5 billion in FIFA's reserves. How many shares could this money buy in this dirty, secret deal? All of them! Therefore, football doesn't need so-called external investment at all. This plan – just like the previous European Super League – was eventually exposed by the media, with all hidden details and complex operations revealed before its supporters had prepared a unified narrative. Thanks to the media for doing this.

Infantino has tarnished the position of FIFA President, a position he promised to elevate. He has lied, cheated, and tried to benefit himself at the expense of the sport he is supposed to serve. He has lost the support of senior staff, the support of his closest advisors, and the support of the vast majority of people who have dedicated their lives to football. It even seems he has lost the support of FIFA Peace Prize winners.

Now, it's too late to save his personal dignity. But it's not too late to save football. He should step down, now.

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