SSP Diaries | Red card for Giovanni Infantino

Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, a Swiss football administrator, served as Secretary General of UEFA, European football’s governing body, from 2009 to 2016. He became FIFA’s ninth president in 2016, succeeding the controversial Sepp Blatter.

To his credit, Infantino’s tenure has overseen the staging of three FIFA World Cups: Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and North America 2026. He should also be commended for expanding participation at the highest level of the game by increasing the number of teams in the World Cup from 32 to 48. As the world witnessed in the recently concluded tournament, this singular move has brought immeasurable benefits to the sport and demonstrated that nations from all regions can compete on football’s biggest stage. The game now belongs to everyone rather than a select few.

There are many other positives associated with Infantino’s tenure. However, it is the circumstances surrounding the reversal of a straight red card issued to United States player Folarin Balogun during a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina that raise questions about the integrity of the FIFA president and, by extension, the reputation of the organisation.

The United States won that match 2-0, but Belgium, their next opponent, was widely regarded as a formidable challenge requiring the Americans to field their strongest possible team. In what has become one of the game’s greatest controversies, the US president is alleged to have contacted the FIFA president with a request that Balogun’s red card be overturned or suspended, thereby allowing him to play in the next match.

Such an act by a political leader would represent direct interference in sport and is unprecedented. It is reprehensible at the very least. The fact that FIFA allegedly accommodated the request is even more troubling and suggests that the organisation lacks the moral and ethical fortitude expected of football’s governing body. More concerning is the impression that it may be susceptible to external influences, the very conditions under which corruption can flourish.

excessive commercialisation

FIFA has faced significant challenges long before Infantino’s presidency. In 2015, his predecessor, Sepp Blatter, along with several other senior officials, was suspended amid investigations into financial mismanagement and corruption. Blatter was subsequently banned from participating in FIFA-related activities until 2027. There appears to be a troubling pattern. If the allegations are true, Infantino disregarded FIFA regulations to grant a favour to a political figure and the host nation. One can only wonder about the true cost of that favour.

Ironically, the alleged intervention did not benefit the host country, which was eventually eliminated from the tournament after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.

Infantino appears not to understand that football is bigger than any individual player or administrator and that as a steward of the sport, his actions must be transparent and above reproach. We have already seen the introduction of quarter breaks under the guise of hydration pauses, moving the sport closer to the American model of entertainment and business. This is not consistent with how much of the world understands and appreciates football. There seems to be more money in quarters than there is in halves.

Adding to these concerns, BBC football reporter Simon Stone revealed that FIFA planned to “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments in a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to consolidate its commercial operations”. Reports indicate that the US venture capital firm involved was founded by Joshua Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump.

This does not paint a reassuring picture for the future of football. Rather, it points to another questionable initiative, one that appears not to prioritise the best interests of the game. Like the red-card controversy, the proposal has sparked widespread concern throughout the football community. One British MP even demanded equal treatment for an English player who received a red card. UEFA has also strongly opposed the invitation of third parties and what it views as excessive commercialisation of the sport.

transparent organisation

Equally troubling is the apparent lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders before such plans are announced. Actions of this nature often occur when individuals assume extraordinary powers or become so influential that they disregard established rules and procedures. History has repeatedly shown that this kind of behaviour can contribute to the downfall of even the most powerful institutions.

Infantino’s actions have crossed the line, and, according to media reports, he has since withdrawn the proposal. Yet there is little doubt in my mind that another questionable initiative may emerge in the future - a leopard, after all, cannot change its spots.

If this trend continues, FIFA risks sinking further into an abyss from which it may struggle to recover. The strength of any FIFA president should be reflected in a well-run, transparent organisation that places integrity above all else and can be trusted to do the right thing every time. FIFA must remain free from political influence and committed to the advancement of the sport and its players.

Most importantly, respect must always be shown to the supporters of the game. They should never be taken for granted. Infantino has demonstrated that he does not fit this standard. He is not cut from the cloth of good governance, and, for that reason, deserves a red card and should never return.

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