World Cup
Infantino under fire as Trump’s Balogun call sparks World Cup uproar
The Fifa president’s office in Zurich was the scene of fresh controversy on Tuesday evening as Gianni Infantino faced calls to resign over the Folarin Balogun affair at the World Cup in the United States.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp led a backlash against Infantino, describing the sequence of events as “madness” that “calls everything into question.” Klopp, who is set to become Germany manager, added: “This is our sport, not theirs.”
The dispute centres on the United States striker Balogun, who was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina but allowed to play the co-hosts’ round of 16 defeat to Belgium after a Fifa disciplinary committee suspended his ban. The decision followed a personal call from Donald Trump to Infantino in which the US president claimed to have requested a “review” of the sanction.
Trump and Infantino share a long-standing friendship, cemented in December when the former received the inaugural “Fifa Peace Prize” at the World Cup draw. Yet the apparent political interference has provoked fierce criticism within football, with Klopp among the most vocal opponents.
Former England striker Gary Lineker suggested USA manager Mauricio Pochettino should have left Balogun out of the side for the 4-1 defeat to Belgium. Speaking on a podcast, Lineker said it would have been “a good play” to prioritise “the integrity of the game.”
Uefa warns Fifa over World Cup suspension chaos after Balogun decision
Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter, impeached in 2015 and banned for eight years, also condemned the decision, as did European football’s governing body Uefa. British politicians joined the chorus, with David Bernstein, a former Football Association chairman, warning that the episode “hits at one of the beauties of football – the worldwide application of regulations.” Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, was unequivocal: “Infantino must go.” He added: “No matter where it’s held, the World Cup belongs to the fans – not gangsters like Trump.” Infantino has led Fifa since 2016 and has twice been re-elected unopposed. Earlier this year he confirmed plans to stand for a further four-year term in 2027. Klopp said: “If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness.” Lineker said: “I thought it would have been a good play for either Balogun or Pochettino to just say, actually, I don't think that's right for football.”