Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly called for the football world to remove Gianni Infantino from his position, arguing that the recent World Cup lost its credibility under his leadership. Blatter, whose own tenure was frequently marred by corruption allegations, emphasized that political influence must not be permitted to overshadow the sport. His comments appear to target Infantino’s close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, which played a pivotal role in the controversial decision to overturn a one-year ban on American striker Folarin Balogun.
The suspension of Balogun’s red card, received during a match against Bosnia, allowed the forward to compete in the last-16 match against Belgium, which the U.S. lost 4-1. Reports suggest that Trump personally intervened by contacting Infantino to urge a review of the decision, leading to an unprecedented move by FIFA. Reflecting on the conclusion of the tournament, which ended with Spain defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time, Blatter noted that while the right team won, the tournament suffered from a lack of integrity. He stated that "politics must not be allowed to overshadow the game," and urged fans, players, and national associations to reclaim the game and return it to its roots under new leadership.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has echoed these sentiments, specifically condemning the handling of the Balogun incident as a serious matter. Tebas argued that the situation was only buried because Belgium eliminated the U.S., preventing a potential crisis that could have cost Infantino his job. Furthermore, Tebas accused FIFA of damaging the broader football industry by expanding international competitions at the expense of domestic leagues. Despite his belief that Infantino’s time is up, Tebas acknowledged that the current system makes a leadership change unlikely, as there is no organized opposition.
Infantino is currently seeking re-election for a fourth term, with the vote for the 2027-2031 cycle scheduled for March 18 next year in Morocco. Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin notably boycotted the World Cup final, reflecting ongoing tensions between UEFA and FIFA regarding refereeing, match operations, and disciplinary procedures. Additionally, the Premier League has issued a statement explaining why Tottenham were not awarded a penalty against Leeds, noting that the Spurs midfielder was denied a big moment on his return from injury.
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