​The United States may be eliminated from the World Cup, but that hardly ends the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun and its enduring impact on FIFA president Gianni Infantino. It was a phone call with President Donald Trump that sparked the entire uproar. There has been fierce pushback from football associations and media alike, with many contending that Trump’s sway over Infantino produced the unusually lenient sentence for Balogun.
Now that backlash has even seeped into the FIFA organization itself. While Infantino’s job is not officially threatened, his credibility has suffered a serious blow. He continues to deny any interference in Balogun’s ban decision, but the denial does little to repair the damage. The Times reports that Infantino has lost trust within the organization and among the member associations he works with. At the time, Balogun’s outcome felt unfair, and with time, the case has not looked any more favorable.
Looking ahead, Infantino is “expected to survive” the scandal and is anticipated to run for re-election unopposed next year, yet he is unlikely to secure the broad support needed to push most of his core goals, including the expansion of the Club World Cup. He may also have to abandon any thoughts of changing FIFA’s statutes to permit a third term in 2031.
One senior source told The Times: “Political interference in football doesn’t get any stronger than what Trump has done, and FIFA’s attempts at an explanation have been ludicrous. Infantino’s power has dried up, he is very isolated now — he will be a lame-duck president.” The seriousness of the matter makes the news somewhat surprising. If Infantino’s conduct is so far out of line that his power could be eroded, why not replace him next year? Perhaps FIFA’s emphasis on public relations plays a role; removing him would be tantamount to admitting wrongdoing. Whatever the underlying reason, it seems Infantino will remain in place through the next World Cup.
READ MORE: FIFA’s Jarell Quansah verdict makes Balogun World Cup ban lift look even worse. How the English press reacted to FIFA’s corruption that contradicts Donald Trump’s Balogun intervention. World Cup fans react with shock after learning FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s yearly salary.