FIFA President Gianni Infantino's decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's ban for a red card has raised serious questions about the integrity of football, according to journalist Jonathan Wilson. Writing in a recent column, Wilson argues that undermining the credibility of sport risks destroying it entirely.
The Importance of Perceived Integrity
Wilson recalls an experience from about 25 years ago in a Bucharest sports newspaper office, where local journalists viewed a late Chelsea comeback as a fix rather than drama. This cynicism, he notes, stems from environments where match-fixing was common. In modern football, high salaries and sophisticated betting monitoring systems make fixes unlikely, but perception matters. If fans lose faith, the sport loses its meaning.
Balogun's Suspension Raises Eyebrows
Balogun, a US player, received a red card during the World Cup, but Infantino intervened to suspend the ban, allowing him to play. The US president boasted of influencing this decision. Wilson criticizes the lack of a proper appeals process, calling the move arbitrary. He contrasts it with other incidents, such as Lionel Messi escaping a red card for a studs-up challenge against Algeria, and questions whether big teams and stars receive favorable treatment.
Pattern of Favoritism?
Wilson points to several questionable decisions: a penalty awarded to Argentina via VAR, a disallowed Egypt goal, and FIFA's gerrymandering of the Club World Cup qualifying to include Inter Miami and Messi. He also notes that FIFA suspended two games of Cristiano Ronaldo's three-game ban for a red card in qualifying, ensuring he played all group matches. These actions, Wilson argues, suggest entertainment and marketing concerns are overriding sporting integrity.
The Danger of Doubt
Wilson warns that once doubt sets in, it can be fatal. He cites the example of Romania, where cynicism about match-fixing became ingrained. If fans believe outcomes are manipulated, the drama and unpredictability that make sport great are lost. He concludes: "Football without faith is nothing."
