Luis Figo: Gianni Infantino must go, it's too late to save his reputation, but it's not too late to save football

Portugal's Luis Figo has become the first major former footballer to publicly call for the resignation of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Figo accused Infantino of "the lowest, most insidious, cowardly and selfish behavior I have ever seen."

The Portuguese legend, who was a candidate for FIFA president in 2015 before dropping out and later supporting Infantino, accused the Swiss of "a series of abuses", while describing FIFA under his leadership as an organization that behaves like a mafia.

"He lied, deceived and acted solely in his own interests, to the detriment of football," Figo said.

Infantino held crisis meetings in the Moroccan capital Rabat on Wednesday, where he is trying to keep his job. The meeting was attended by senior FIFA officials, including secretary general Matthias Grafström and members of the governing body.

Figo, who now works as a football advisor to UEFA and works closely with its president Aleksander Ceferin, has further increased the pressure on Infantino.

In an editorial for the Daily Mail, he wrote:

"I could write 10.000 words about the problems at FIFA. But the solution comes down to just three words: Infantino must go. I have loved football my whole life. I played professionally for 20 years and believe me, I have met many cheaters during my career. But what has come to light in the last ten days represents the lowest, most insidious and cowardly selfish behavior I have ever witnessed. A man who is willing to push through such major changes just to enrich himself and his friends is a relic of the past and should have no place in the future of football," Figo was sharp.

Speaking about the controversial plan to sell commercial rights to the World Cup, which has plunged Infantino into a serious crisis, Figo accused the FIFA president of not being honest about the possibility of him getting a job worth $30 million a year.

"All this in return for practically handing the World Cup over to his friends in Washington."

He added that such behavior does not surprise him.

"It is just the continuation of a series of abuses by which he has tarnished the reputation of football – from suspensions and overturning disciplinary decisions to violating the rules of the game by organizing a half-time show. Nothing is more important to him than pleasing his friends."

Figo also addressed the statements of the president of the Jordanian Football Association, Prince Ali, who accused Infantino of blackmail.

"His claims about the mafia-like way FIFA operates under Infantino, including obstruction of his federation's work and withholding funding in order to force a letter of support for a new candidacy, are not at all surprising. It is too late for Infantino to save his reputation, but it is not too late to save football," said the former Sporting Lisbon, Inter, Real and Barcelona footballer.

In the end, Figo delivered the harshest criticism.

"Infantino has degraded the office of FIFA president that he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and worked only for his own benefit, to the detriment of the game he is supposed to serve. He has lost the support of his closest associates, senior FIFA officials, the vast majority of people who have dedicated their lives to football and, it seems, even the winner of the FIFA Peace Prize. He needs to go. Now."

Figo was one of Infantino's biggest supporters ten years ago.

After dropping his candidacy for FIFA president in 2015, he publicly supported the then UEFA secretary general.

He then stated:

"His experience, ability, work ethic and integrity make him the best candidate for president. Gianni represents a new generation of leaders who put football first. He brings a new style of working, greater transparency and discussion of ideas instead of political games and personal attacks."