)
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has suggested that his successor, Gianni Infantino, should step down following the Folarin Balogun incident at the 2026 World Cup.
The current head of the federation insisted that US President Donald Trump's appeal did not influence the decision to lift the ban on the American international, who participated in Monday's World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium despite receiving a red card. The "Red Devils" won 4-1 and advanced to the next stage.
Blatter, whose tenure was marred by corruption allegations, stated that Infantino had brought humiliation to the position of world football's chief.
"The current FIFA president bowed to Donald Trump. This should not happen. This position needs an independent person. Perhaps even someone from outside the system," Blatter commented to the Swiss news portal nau.ch on Tuesday, after sharply criticizing FIFA in a social media post on X the previous day.
Looking more broadly at the FIFA presidency, Blatter said he could envision a change. The Swiss national, who served as FIFA president from 1998 to 2015, also strongly criticized Trump's conduct.
"Trump's interference is unacceptable. Something like this would not have happened during my time," he asserted, as quoted by BTA.
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)