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Luis Figo has launched a fierce attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, calling for his immediate resignation over what he described as a deceptive plan to sell the World Cup to private investors. The Portugal legend strongly criticised the controversial chief in a sharply worded open letter, saying his actions were deeply dishonest and accusing him of damaging football’s wider reputation.

Figo has strongly condemned Infantino after the collapse of the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, leaving the FIFA president battling to protect his position. In a hard-hitting column published in the Daily Mail on Wednesday, Figo said Infantino should step down at once.

The major fallout comes from a controversial proposal to sell the World Cup to private equity investors, a move Figo says was intended to land Infantino a highly lucrative job worth $30 million a year. While Infantino chairs emergency crisis talks in Morocco in an effort to save his role, Figo has made his view of the current leadership unmistakably clear, insisting that someone focused on personal enrichment has no place in football.

The Portuguese great did not hold back in his assessment of the latest turmoil and what he sees as a complete lack of transparency from FIFA’s leadership. Expressing his disbelief at the scandal that has unfolded, Figo wrote: "What I have seen exposed in the last 10 days is the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour I have ever witnessed."

Pointing to what he saw as the absurdity of the secret arrangement, he asked: "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 at the end of it?"

He also accused Infantino of presiding over a "reign of terrible self-interest," adding: "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."

The former Real Madrid winger also criticised Infantino over what he described as serious mismanagement of funds and a leadership style resembling blackmail. Referring to the push for private equity, Figo wrote: "I mean the $5bn in FIFA’s reserves for a start. How many shares could that buy in this grubby, underhand plot? All of them! So there is no need for outside investment after all."

He also referred to the serious allegations made by the Jordan Football Association, saying it comes as no surprise to see Infantino blocking their funding simply to secure a nomination letter and extend his rule.

Infantino will now head into a crucial summit in Morocco, hoping to convince the remaining FIFA officials to continue backing him amid rising global outrage. However, surviving this extraordinary crisis looks increasingly difficult after such a public condemnation. If more national federations formally withdraw their support, Infantino could be forced to resign, which would open the door to emergency presidential elections.