Jurgen Klopp is leading the growing criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino after world soccer’s governing body overturned Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension following intervention from US President Donald Trump.
Infantino is facing increased pressure after President Trump publicly revealed that he had asked for Balogun’s red card to be reviewed. The decision allows the American striker to play in Monday night’s World Cup last-16 match against Belgium.
Balogun was included in the U.S. starting lineup after FIFA suspended his one-game suspension for being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The decision prompted the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) to consider legal action.
Before kickoff, the RBFA told U.S. Soccer, adding that it reserves the right to contest Balogun’s eligibility and seek further action if he appears on the official team sheet.
During a press conference in the Oval Office on Monday, President Trump acknowledged that he personally requested a review of the incident because he believes Balogun should never have been ejected.
“I didn’t think it was a foul,” the US president said.
The controversy sparked the strongest public backlash during Infantino’s time as head of FIFA.
Former Liverpool manager Klopp also joined UEFA and the German and Belgian football associations in criticizing the governing body’s handling of the incident.
“This is our sport, not theirs,” Klopp said.
“If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really worked this out between them, that would be crazy and it would call everything into question.”
The scandal has led to renewed calls for Infantino to resign. The Express has contacted Infantino for comment through FIFA.
Former FIFA president David Bernstein, who previously campaigned against former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, described the situation as “completely wrong” and “terrible”, the Daily Telegraph reported.
“This is one of the beauties of football, that the regulations and rules apply across the world,” he said.
FIFA suspended Balogun’s red card suspension for one year under article 27 of its disciplinary regulations and allowed him to play while the matter was considered.
The decision has already sparked further appeals elsewhere in the tournament.
The Football Association is considering whether to appeal the suspension of Jarel Quansah after receiving a red card in England’s game against Mexico, while France are seeking to have Michael Oliseh’s yellow card against Paraguay overturned.
Mr. Trump raised Mr. Balogun’s case with Mr. Infantino on three separate occasions, according to people close to the discussions.
Infantino insisted the disciplinary action was taken independently and was not influenced by his conversations with the US president.
But President Trump publicly claimed he helped secure the outcome.
“I made them do it,” he said.
“I saw the play. I’m a sports guy. That wasn’t a foul. It wasn’t even a violation.
“This referee is a bit of a dubious person if you look into his past. He made decisions that no one could believe.
“He’s our best player, or one of our best players, and they gave him a red card.”
The president also admitted that he did not know much about soccer’s disciplinary system before the incident.
“I had no idea what a red card was. When I found out, I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!'” he said.
President Trump defended his contact with Infantino, saying the convention should include the world’s biggest stars.
“How would you feel if we took out Messi, Ronaldo and Harry Kane?” he said.
“We have the best players and they have to play their best. Whether we win or lose, it’s fair.”
UEFA said FIFA’s intervention crossed a “red line that should not be crossed”.
Politicians across the UK also criticized the governing body.
Labor MP Clive Betts, chairman of the All Party Football Parliamentary Federation, said FIFA needed to explain its actions.
“I’m sorry if it was literally a phone call from President Trump, but if he doesn’t resign, I think FIFA will have no choice but to fire him,” he said.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey added: “Infantino must go. No matter where it is held, the World Cup belongs to the fans, not gangsters like Trump.”
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron branded the decision “outright corruption” and questioned whether Britain should now try to overturn Quansah’s suspension.
Former sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe called for an immediate investigation, claiming politicians and football administrators had degraded the sport.
In response, Infantino insisted that FIFA’s judicial body operates independently of his authority.
“FIFA’s judicial body is independent,” he said.
“During the conversation, I explained that legal proceedings involving FIFA’s independent judiciary were ongoing and that the matter would be decided by the competent authority in due course.
“This is how the FIFA system works and this is the principle I will always abide by.”
His explanation failed to convince critics.
Labour’s Lord Reith described the incident as “an embarrassment for the world of sport”, while Labor MP Clive Efford said it proved FIFA remained “rotten to the core”.
Labor MP Noah Law has also written to Mr Infantino asking him to overturn Quansah’s suspension, while one European football executive told Telegraph Sport that if the decision was a direct response to political lobbying, it amounted to the governing body aiding match-fixing.
Despite the criticism, President Trump praised FIFA’s decision.
“I think the referee made a bad call,” he said.
“I just asked for a review. I didn’t tell them what to do. I can’t tell them what to do.”
