US Soccer Official: Infantino's Deal with Trump Stained Football's Biggest Stage

Nathaniel Goldberg Krencie, Vice President of the U.S. Soccer Federation, has launched a scathing attack on FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Krencie believes the success of the North American World Cup bid was achieved despite the actions of both leaders.

He accused Infantino of aligning football with Trump. "While the World Cup will undoubtedly be a massive commercial success, no amount of money can ever erase the moral stain of Trump's wars receiving a blessing in the name of football. Yes, it's crucial for FIFA to build strong relationships with every host nation's government, but Infantino repeatedly crossed the line between professionalism and sycophancy," Krencie stated in an interview with The Guardian.

"Almost since the inception of the World Cup, politicians have attempted to legitimize their national agendas on a global stage at FIFA's expense. In 1934, it was Mussolini's Italy, and in 1978, Argentina's military junta. This time, however, it is the FIFA president himself who is willing to sacrifice the sport's reputation.

Last week, he allowed his personal relationship with Trump to influence the decision regarding the sanctioning of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Last year, he personally created and awarded a 'peace prize' to a man who shamelessly revels in military threats. Just months after receiving this award, invented specifically for him, Trump set about attempting regime change in Venezuela, threatened NATO allies with military conflict, and initiated a war with Iran," Nathaniel Goldberg Krencie's statement further read.