La Liga president Javier Tebas has admitted Gianni Infantino could have lost his job at FIFA if the USA beat Belgium in the World Cup last-16. The build up to that clash was engulfed in controversy after USA star Folarin Balogun had his red card from the previous knockout round against Bosnia and Herzegovina suspended for 12 months.
Trump intervention and Balogun case
U.S. President Donald Trump called Infantino regarding the incident, with FIFA's disciplinary committee later reversing the decision to make him available to manager Mauricio Pochettino again. Despite his inclusion, the co-host nation were comfortably beaten 4-1 and Tebas has stated that result likely saved Infantino his job as president.
During an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tebas said: "The suspension of the American player's ban was absolutely serious. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the USA, because otherwise a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job."
IOC complaint and pressure
He could have potentially lost his job regardless with an official complaint made to The International Olympic Committee that his dealings with Trump breached political neutrality. However, he will not face any sanctions from the IOC, of which he has been a member of for the last six years.
Infantino's role as FIFA president is still under increasing pressure though, with Tebas the latest high-profile figure to speak out against the 56-year-old.
"In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up," he said. "There's no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose. He shouldn't stay, but the current state of affairs means he won't leave."
World Cup expansion criticised
Though the next World Cup is not until 2030, it has been in the headlines with Infantino and FIFA'S vice president Alejandro Dominguez open to a 64-team tournament. Tebas, who was in the United States to watch his country lift the trophy this year, has explained why he thinks that is not a good idea.
He said: "Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense. The football industry isn't just the World Cup. It's the national competitions that sustain this sport. They are destroying the football industry, which generates tens of thousands of jobs, for an event that lasts 40 days and involves a minority of players."
"Are the best players there? Clearly, but they are also in our leagues. We need fewer international matches and more protection for national football, at all levels. They don't realise they are making irresponsible decisions."
One positive of the proposed format would be that 16 groups of four teams would not see any third-placed teams get through but the round of 32 would remain. A record 104 matches were played across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer. That would jump up to 128 if FIFA got their wish of expanding the World Cup.
