Pressure is mounting on FIFA president Gianni Infantino after football figures from across the game demanded he step down following the Folarin Balogun controversy at the World Cup. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has become the latest high-profile name to question Infantino's position after US President Donald Trump claimed he personally asked for the USA striker's suspension to be reconsidered.
Balogun suspension overturned
Balogun was sent off during the United States' group-stage match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should have ruled him out of the next game. However, a FIFA disciplinary committee suspended the ban, allowing him to feature in the hosts' 4-1 last-16 defeat against Belgium. The decision quickly became one of the tournament's biggest talking points after Trump publicly declared he had contacted Infantino to request a 'review' of the punishment.
Trump and the FIFA president have enjoyed a close relationship for years. In December, Infantino presented the US president with the inaugural 'FIFA Peace Prize' during the World Cup draw. The relationship has fueled accusations of cronyism from critics.
Klopp leads criticism
Klopp did not hold back when asked about the controversy. The outspoken German, who is set to become Germany's next national team manager, questioned whether football's credibility had been damaged. 'This is our sport, not theirs,' he said. 'If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.'
The backlash has not been confined to managers. Former England striker Gary Lineker suggested that regardless of whether Balogun had been cleared to play, the United States could have made its own statement. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker praised Belgium for ignoring the surrounding noise before suggesting that Mauricio Pochettino or Balogun himself might have been better off deciding the striker should not play. 'I don't think that's right for football, the integrity of the game, the integrity of the sport,' Lineker said, adding that leaving Balogun out voluntarily could have sent a powerful message.
Political and administrative backlash
David Bernstein, the former Football Association (FA) chairman, argued that the episode struck at one of football's defining strengths: that the same rules are supposed to apply wherever the game is played. British politicians have also entered the debate. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey called for Infantino to resign, insisting that the World Cup belongs to supporters rather than political figures. 'Infantino must go. No matter where it's held, the World Cup belongs to the fans, not gangsters like Trump.'
Even Sepp Blatter, Infantino's predecessor, criticized the handling of the affair. The Swiss ex-FIFA boss, who was banned for eight years in 2015, added another notable voice to a rapidly growing list of detractors. UEFA has also criticized the situation.
Infantino's controversial tenure
Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 after winning the election that followed the corruption crisis engulfing world football's governing body. He has since been re-elected unopposed twice. Earlier this year, he confirmed he intends to seek another four-year term when the presidency is contested again in 2027. The latest controversy is far from the first difficult chapter of his presidency. Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he attracted widespread condemnation over remarks made during a lengthy press conference in which he said: 'Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker.' The comments were heavily opposed by human rights groups and campaigners.
His close relationships with political leaders in several countries have also regularly attracted scrutiny. Some have questioned whether FIFA has become too closely aligned with governments hosting or bidding for major tournaments, although Infantino has defended his approach as necessary diplomacy. FIFA's decision to expand the men's World Cup from 32 to 48 teams has divided opinion. Supporters believe it gives more nations a chance to compete; opponents argue it dilutes the tournament and creates a more congested football calendar. He has also faced scrutiny over proposals for biennial World Cups, plans ultimately abandoned after strong opposition.
Outlook
Whether the latest storm proves more damaging than those that came before remains to be seen. What is already clear is that the pressure on Infantino is no longer coming from one corner of football. It is arriving from managers, former players, administrators, and politicians alike. Will he step down? Don't bet on it.
