Infantino under pressure in Morocco crisis meeting
Beleaguered FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has reportedly offered Morocco the chance to host the World Cup final in 2030 in exchange for the nation's support as he desperately tries to cling to power.
Infantino is in Morocco where he has held a crisis meeting of FIFA officials today as calls for him to resign over his botched plot to sell off the World Cup intensify.
The 2023 edition of the tournament will be hosted across Spain, Portugal and Morocco as well as three matches played in South America.
Morocco have been one of Infantino's biggest supporters over the course of his decade in charge of FIFA and were rewarded with co-hosting rights for the World Cup.
They want to host the final in the new 115,000-seat Hassan II stadium in Casablanca which will be the largest football stadium in the world when it is built.
And, according to The Times, Infantino has promised Morocco they will host the final of the tournament, rather than the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, if they publicly endorse him in the face of mouting criticism.
But Infantino is said to be concerned over the lack of support from Saudi Arabia who will host the 2034 World Cup.
Former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Figo has become the latest big name to denounce Infantino with many calling for him to resign immediately.
He described Infantino's conduct as “the lowest, most deceitful and cravenly self-interested behaviour” he has ever witnessed.
“And believe me, I have met some rogues in my time in the game,” he added.
Figo went on:
Infantino has debased the office of FIFA President that he promised to elevate. He has lied, deceived and tried to feather his own nest of the game he is supposed to serve.
“It is too late to save his dignity but it is not too late to save football. He should go. Now.”
It comes after legendary former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, now head of football development at FIFA, distance himself from the doomed plot to sell off the World Cup.
“At FIFA, I am the chief of global football development,
