UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has described Donald Trump's support of Gianni Infantino as "shocking", as the FIFA chief continues to be shrouded with controversy.
The Swiss-Italian successor to Sepp Blatter was at the forefront of plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors earlier this summer, which were ultimately canned as a result of widespread backlash. However, that's just the cherry on the cake of scrutiny which Infantino has found himself hit with over the past couple of months.
Trump's intervention in Balogun red card
During this summer's tournament in North America, US president Trump used his powers in a bid to help overturn a red card picked up by Folarin Balogun in his nation's round of 32 clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina. The striker was subsequently allowed to represent USA in their round of 16 encounter with Belgium - though FIFA insist the US President's input had no bearing on the decision.
It is claimed that Trump personally called Infantino to request that the sanction on USA's star talent was lifted, in a move which didn't sit right with football fans worldwide. That's given a number of other players had served their suspensions for red and yellow cards, including England's Jarrell Quansah - who was sent off against Mexico and unable to represent the Three Lions until their third-place play-off match with France.
Ceferin's response and FIFA election
Elsewhere, Trump has suggested that it would be a "terrible mistake" to remove Infantino from his post as FIFA president, as he continues to face calls for his job with world football. And now, UEFA head, Ceferin, has highlighted how concerned he has become by the support of the 80-year-old.
He explained on the Balogun situation: "That was more than shocking. We have rules, and if you don't respect your own rules, then the game doesn't make any sense.
"The president of a country says, 'I called him, and I told him to look at it.' And then the FIFA president says it was an independent decision.
"I mean, for us as football fans, or for us as a governing body, that's shocking. That's shocking, and - trust me - almost everybody was shocked. Just not everybody dared to speak."
It comes as Ceferin has ruled himself out of the running to oust Infantino from his presidency in March's election. However, the 58-year-old does expect a candidate to challenge for the position.
Speaking on The Rest is Politics, he said: "I'm not interested because of two reasons. One reason is that I love Uefa and I love working here, and I think that at a certain point, it's time to also enjoy life a bit. The second point is, my credibility is much, much higher if I'm not interested in the position."
