FIFA president Gianni Infantino has faced harsh criticism during the World Cup for his close relationship with US President Donald Trump, and controversial former president Sepp Blatter has also been among those who have spoken out.
Sepp Blatter exposed Gianni Infantino to a new attack (Image: Getty Images)
Sepp Blatter has renewed his call for “new leadership” at FIFA in a brutal attack on Gianni Infantino. The current president has faced serious criticism for a number of decisions throughout this summer’s World Cup.
Ticket prices, over-commercialization and close ties to US President Donald Trump have all been issues. After that, criticism rapidly increased after the decision was made to suspend player Folarin Balogun’s red card following a phone call from President Trump.
Blatter sliced Infantino immediately after that decision. “Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies,” he said on Twitter.
“If the president of the United States intervenes with the FIFA president and a player is suddenly allowed to play before the World Cup final, the question is inevitable: ‘Quo vadis, FIFA?’ Quo vadis means ‘where are you going?'” in Latin. Football must never become a playground for political power. ”
Blatter gained further momentum days after the World Cup final with a new post calling for change at the top of the organization.
“The longest World Cup has come to an end with a worthy champion. But as the final whistle blew, the competition had lost its credibility. We must not allow politics to overshadow the game. It is now up to the fans, players and national associations to take back football and bring it back to its roots under new leadership.”
Blatter is seeking new leadership, but that seems unlikely. La Liga president Javier Tebas insisted Infantino was likely to remain as manager as there was no opposition.
Asked if he should quit, Tebas said: “In my opinion, yes, his time is over.” He added: “There is no opposition candidate and no one runs just to lose. He shouldn’t stay, but as things stand, he won’t leave.”
Gianni Infantino has faced a lot of criticism throughout the World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
“In the last few days, we have heard from many people here in the United States who are against Infantino and do not agree with what he is doing.
“They say it and then they don’t do anything. I don’t know which is worse, silence or complicity, because those who remain silent are fully aware of the damage that football is suffering.
“The suspension of the American player was really serious. It was fortunate for Belgium that they were able to exclude America, because otherwise there might have been an incident that cost Infantino his job. Belgium won, so they managed to put the matter behind them. But these things are just the tip of the iceberg.”
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