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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has faced heavy scrutiny after being pressed by U.S. President Donald Trump to reassess Folarin Balogun's ban - a decision which was later suspended -Credit:Tasos Katopodis - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images
Gianni Infantino is determined to retain his position at FIFA despite mounting pressure for him to resign over permitting Donald Trump to meddle in the World Cup. The U.S. Men's National Team were eliminated from the tournament in the Round of 16 following a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in Seattle.
They departed with star player Folarin Balogun in the starting lineup after the one-game ban he received for his red card during the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round was controversially suspended, with President Trump disclosing he had pressed Infantino to reassess the incident.
Belgium's subsequent challenge against the decision was dismissed, though they proved too strong for the co-hosts regardless. Nevertheless, the backlash from Trump's intervention is expected to continue amid widespread calls for Infantino to relinquish the role he has occupied for a decade, as per The Mirror US.
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-Credit:Icon Sportswire, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
FIFA maintains strict rules against political interference in its national associations' operations, with the Nepalese federation suspended just last month for third-party involvement. Yet if Infantino has his way, he will stay at FIFA's helm for another five years, having declared his intention to seek re-election next year.
Under the standard four-year cycle, a victory would prolong his tenure to 2031, at which point he would be barred from running again, having reached his maximum term limit. Speaking in April, the 56-year-old stated: "As you've heard, the electoral period for the presidential election at FIFA starts today.
"I'm honored and humbled at the same time, and I want to tell you first, the 211 member associations, I want to confirm to you that I will be a candidate for the election of FIFA president next year."
While Infantino faces significant pushback in Europe, he commands considerable support across Africa and South America. Consequently, if he rides out the current controversy, he is widely anticipated to secure another term in 2027.
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UEFA has condemned FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's red card ban, declaring it "crossed a red line."
European football's governing body released a statement reading: "Football, like any other sports, relies on rules, which are the basis for fair, honest and transparent competition. Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not.
"A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension.
"When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined. Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition."
The statement went on to say: "We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."
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