Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has launched a scathing attack on his successor Gianni Infantino and former US President Donald Trump, alleging political interference in football after Folarin Balogun's red card was overturned. Blatter took to social media platform X to accuse FIFA of bowing to pressure from Trump, who reportedly called Infantino to intervene.
Blatter's Allegations
In a post on X, Blatter wrote: "Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA? Football must never become a playground for political power."
Incident Context
The controversy surrounds US striker Folarin Balogun, who received a red card in a previous match but was later cleared to play in a knockout stage game after FIFA suspended the ban. According to reports, Trump directly contacted Infantino to request the overturn. Balogun subsequently featured in the match, which has sparked outrage among football purists.
Reactions and Implications
Blatter's comments have reignited debates about FIFA's independence and the influence of political figures in sports governance. The former president, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015, has been a vocal critic of Infantino's leadership. The incident raises questions about the integrity of disciplinary processes in international football. FIFA has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
