HISTORIC WORLD CUP FUROR AT 'INCOMPREHENCIBLE' FIFA DECISION TO LET U.S. FORWARD BALOGUN PLAY

ILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, awards President Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Dec. 5, 2025.

Chris Carlson/AP

GENEVA — An all-time controversy in the World Cup's 96-year history was raging Monday ahead of the co-host United States and forward Folarin Balogun facing Belgium with a quarterfinals place at stake.

The Belgian soccer federation said it is challenging FIFA's ruling to let Balogun play despite getting a red card in his previous game — a shocking move made Sunday after pressure on the world soccer body's leader Gianni Infantino from his close ally, U.S. President Donald Trump.

The "deeply concerned" Belgians' statement just 11 hours before starting their round of 16 game in Seattle showed clear frustration with FIFA at what seemed a lack of good faith in shaping an urgent legal process.

European soccer body UEFA earlier criticized FIFA for an "incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision," that it said "crossed a red line" by not enforcing Balogun's mandatory one-game ban for his foul tackle against Bosnia-Herzegovina last Wednesday.

FIFA's ruling Sunday — to defer Balogun's ban for one year of probation — deviated from soccer's traditional rule of law and drew stinging criticism globally including from former World Cup stars and coaches at this tournament.

"It's a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup," Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said Sunday after his team beat Brazil to reach the quarterfinals.

UEFA, whose member federations include Belgium, insisted: "Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not."

"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," said the European soccer body, which has often clashed with Infantino during his decade in FIFA power.

"We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision," said UEFA, where Infantino was its CEO-like general secretary from 2009 until being elected to lead FIFA in February 2016.

FIFA was asked Monday to comment on the UEFA criticism.

Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter, who was forced from office in 2015 in fallout from corruption scandals, posted Monday on social media: "Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies."

Belgium's legal options

Belgian officials had been preparing an appeal in Seattle in the early hours of Monday to challenge the Balogun ruling with a FIFA-appointed appeals judge. They said FIFA had not provided documents key to filing a valid appeal.

The round of 16 game against the U.S. is due to kick off at 5 p.m. local time.

"Regardless of the sporting outcome of the match," the Belgian federation said, "(we are) deeply concerned by the way these events have unfolded and will continue, in the hours, days and months ahead, to pursue every available avenue to uphold the fundamental principles of ethics, sporting fairness and the interests of football as a whole."

Soccer rules require teams ultimately judged to have fielded an ineligible player to default the game as a 3-0 loss. Belgium must first appeal to FIFA and then to the Court of Arbitration for Sport based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Balogun's tackle

Balogun was sent off directly for planting his cleated foot on the ankle of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic during a 2-0 win for the U.S. in the round of 32.

That kind of challenge has been a routine red card all season in competitions worldwide, and Balogun could have expected a two-game ban for serious foul play under the FIFA disciplinary code.

Still, similar challenges by star players have gone unpunished at this World Cup — by Lionel Messi for Argentina against Algeria and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi vs. Brazil. Bernardo Silva of Portugal got just a yellow card against Congo.

"I think a yellow card would have been fair," Balogun later suggested.

FIFA's interventions

This World Cup has been remarkable for FIFA under Infantino seeming to rewrite the norms of disciplinary action even before the tournament began.

A pattern of pardons opened FIFA to suggestions of executive intervention in the statutory independence of its judicial bodies, including the disciplinary committee that formally reprieved Balogun.

Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in Portugal's opening World Cup game despite getting a red card for serious foul play in a qualifying game against Ireland last November. He struck an opponent with an elbow.

Ronaldo served his mandatory ban in Portugal's final qualifying game but he was reprieved from an expected two-game ban because FIFA introduced the idea of probation. An imposed three-game ban was less meaningful as two games were deferred during a one-year probationary period.

At the opening game on June 11, South Africa's Themba Zwane got a red card against Mexico for a similar offense to Ronaldo's and FIFA imposed a three-game ban with no probation. Zwane did not play again at the World Cup.

Three players sent off in their teams' qualifying games last year were surprisingly told by FIFA in May they could serve their bans in a future competition instead of at the World Cup, which was the long-standing norm.

Ecuador midfielder Moisés Caicedo, Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi and Qatar defender Tarek Salman all had their bans waived for the World Cup.

US exceptionalism

This, FIFA said in May, was to ensure teams "can compete with their strongest possible squads on the biggest stage of men's international football."

The Balogun decision simply took this policy further, though not for other players shown a red card so far who were mandated to miss at least one game.

"It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions," UEFA said, "let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension."

- The Associated Press

GIANNI INFANTINO'S OLD BOSS FILES CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST FIFA PRESIDENT

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino and two other officials, alleging malicious prosecution and influence peddling

Former UEFA President Michel Platini (R) is set to launch legal action against former UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino(L).(Image: Getty Images)

Former UEFA president Michel Platini is reportedly taking legal action against FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, alleging that he and two others conspired to ruin his chances of landing football's top job.

City AM reports that Platini's legal team have confirmed they are initiating proceedings in Paris against Infantino and two former FIFA officials, legal director Marco Villiger and audit chair Domenico Scala.

Infantino, Villiger and Scala are accused of malicious prosecution and influence peddling in relation to a scandal that ultimately ended Platini's career in football administration.

Platini was the favourite to take over from Sepp Blatter as FIFA president until 2015, when Blatter was effectively charged with bribing Platini for votes for a fourth term.

Platini and Blatter were given suspensions by FIFA's ethics committee over the two million Swiss francs "disloyal payment," but both have since been exonerated by the Swiss courts.

Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter(Image: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP)

The ex-France captain is also suing FIFA for financial damages in Switzerland for what his lawyers allege was a deliberate attempt to block his succession of Blatter, reports the Mirror.

Infantino, who served as UEFA general secretary under Platini, was elected to succeed Blatter in 2016 and has held the position ever since, strengthening his grip on power throughout.

The timing of the legal proceedings becoming public will cause Infantino and FIFA considerable embarrassment just before the World Cup kicks off in the US, Mexico and Canada on Thursday.

Mirror Sport have contacted FIFA regarding the allegations but have not yet received a response to the latest developments, with Infantino set to face the media on Wednesday on the eve of the largest edition of the tournament ever staged.

This follows nine months after the acquittal of Platini, now 70, and Blatter, 90, on fraud and forgery charges by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court in September that year.

Since assuming office, Infantino has implemented sweeping changes to FIFA's operations and substantially increased its revenue, and last week he topped City AM's inaugural Football Power List.

FIFA president GIanni Infantino shows off World Cup to Donald Trump in the Oval Office last year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The news marks the latest controversy in a series of events that have overshadowed the build-up to this summer's World Cup. The United States conflict with Iran has been a major talking point.

Iran threatened to withdraw from the tournament following airstrikes that claimed the life of their leader Ayatollah Khamenei. With Italy put forward as possible replacements, it was later mooted that Iran's fixtures could be relocated at short notice to Mexico.

Despite the uncertainty, Infantino consistently assured that Iran would take part and everything would be fine, while Trump issued a threatening statement, asserting: "I really don't believe it ⁠is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."

The US President eventually gave his tepid endorsement. In recent hours, Somalian referee Omar Artan has been refused entry into the United States and Iranian fans have had their tickets revoked.

- Matty Hewitt  and Frank Dalleres

SEPP BLATTER BACKS CALLS FOR FANS TO AVOID US MATCHES AT 2026 WORLD CUP

• Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has backed calls urging fans to avoid travelling to the US for the 2026 World Cup, citing security and immigration concerns

• Blatter’s comments come amid wider debate over the 2026 World Cup after Donald Trump last year questioned ‘safety’ in several US host cities

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter attending an event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 28 April 2010 – Photo by Richard Juilliart

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has backed calls urging football fans to avoid travelling to the United States for matches at the 2026 World Cup, according to multiple media reports, citing concerns over security, immigration enforcement and the country’s political climate.

Blatter voiced his support for comments made by Swiss lawyer and anti-corruption expert Mark Pieth, who warned that fans should “stay away” from World Cup matches in the US. Pieth worked with FIFA on governance reforms during Blatter’s presidency

“I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup,” Blatter wrote in a social media post, endorsing Pieth’s advice to supporters.

The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, with the majority of matches scheduled to take place in the US.

Pieth cited domestic developments in the United States, including aggressive immigration enforcement and recent deaths linked to clashes involving federal authorities, as reasons for discouraging travel. He warned that fans could face heightened scrutiny at US borders and risk being denied entry or deported if they fail to comply with officials, adding that supporters may be “better off watching on television.”

Concerns have intensified following the expansion of US travel bans affecting several countries whose national teams have qualified for the World Cup. Fans from Iran and Haiti are expected to be barred from entering the United States, while supporters from Senegal and the Ivory Coast face restrictions unless they already hold valid visas.

Concerns over safety have also entered the political debate, after US President Donald Trump suggested that World Cup matches could be moved away from host cities he considers “unsafe,” comments that drew criticism from local officials and organisers, according to separate reports.

Criticism has also emerged from within European football. Oke Göttlich, a vice-president of the German football federation, said the idea of a boycott should be “seriously considered.”

Blatter, who resigned as FIFA president in 2015 amid corruption investigations and was later acquitted alongside former UEFA chief Michel Platini, has remained a vocal critic of FIFA’s current leadership under Gianni Infantino. Infantino dismissed the concerns, insisting fans would continue to attend in large numbers.

- the macao news 

FIFA GIVES PRESIDENT INFANTINO 33% RAISE IN PAY DEAL WORTH $4.6 MILLION IN WOMEN'S WORLD CUP YEAR

AP Photo

 GENEVA (AP) — FIFA raised president Gianni Infantino's base salary 33% last year to lift his total pay package to more than 4.13 million Swiss francs ($4.67 million), soccer’s governing body said in its financial report.

Infantino was re-elected unopposed in 2023 to extend his presidency to 11 years before FIFA staged the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and picked preferred candidates to host two future men’s World Cups, including the 2034 edition in Saudi Arabia.

Infantino’s pre-tax base salary payment rose by more than 500,000 Swiss francs ($565,000) last year to reach more than 2.46 million Swiss francs ($2.78 million). His annual bonus was 1.65 million Swiss francs ($1.87 million), the same as in 2022 when the men’s World Cup was played in Qatar.

The previous FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, had a contracted bonus of $12 million for the 2014 World Cup on top of a $3 million basic salary and annual bonuses.

Infantino had a home in Qatar to oversee preparations for the 2022 tournament and now spends time in Florida, where FIFA has offices at Coral Gables, ahead of the United States co-hosting the next men’s World Cup with Canada and Mexico. Florida does not have a state income tax.

FIFA has budgeted for total revenue of $11 billion in the four-year financial cycle from 2023 through 2026 with Saudi sponsors including state oil firm Aramco expected to join longtime partners Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa. The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams and include 104 games.

FIFA’s typically conservative projection did not include income for the 32-team men’s Club World Cup that launches next year in the U.S.

FIFA paid its CEO-like secretary general Fatma Samoura the same 1.9 million Swiss francs ($2.15 million) package in her final year in the job as in 2022. She got a salary of 1.3 million Swiss francs ($1.47 million) and 600,000 Swiss francs ($670,000) bonus before leaving in December.

Infantino has operated as an executive leader despite recommendations by a reforms panel — of which he was a member — created after corruption scandals in 2015 that the FIFA president should have a more figurehead role. That reform group also insisted on publishing details of management pay.

FIFA pay is set up by a compensation panel chaired by Mukul Mudgal, a retired judge from India who oversees governance and compliance at the soccer body, for which he was paid $250,000 last year.

Payments to the 37-member FIFA Council stayed the same. The six vice presidents who lead continental soccer bodies got a net amount of $300,000 plus expenses. Other members got $250,000 plus expenses annually.

The president of European soccer body UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin, also was paid a gross salary without bonus of almost 2.9 million Swiss francs ($3.26 million), according to its financial report published last month.

In comparison, chief executive Richard Masters of the English Premier League, the most lucrative domestic soccer competition, had a salary of 1.8 million pounds ($2.3 million) in 2022.

Most of FIFA’s commercial income is tied to the men’s World Cup and will be booked in the accounts for 2026.

In 2023, the Women’s World Cup year, FIFA said it had revenue of $1.17 billion with $456 million from marketing deals and $267 million from broadcasting. Ticket and hospitality sales for the 32-team, 64-game women’s tournament were $43 million.

FIFA said it spent and invested almost $1.75 billion in 2023, with $499 million going toward the Women’s World Cup. Payments to participating teams, players and their clubs who released them rose to $152 million.

FIFA now pays each of its 211 member federations up to $8 million every four years, and that program was worth $470 million in soccer development funding last year.

Financial reserves fell slightly to almost $3.6 billion, FIFA said, describing the total as “a very solid level.” It should fall in each of the next two years then rise again in 2026.

- GRAHAM DUNBAR

EX-FIFA PRESIDENT BLATTER SLAMS DECISION FOR WORLD CUP IN SIX COUNTRIES - PAPER

Reuters 

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has criticised the decision by world soccer's governing body to hold the World Cup in six countries across three continents.

Morocco, Spain and Portugal were named hosts of the 2030 tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will also host the opening matches to mark the tournament's centenary, FIFA said in a surprise announcement on Wednesday.

The decision was criticised by Sepp Blatter, who was FIFA President from 1998 to 2015, before being forced out after a corruption investigation.

SEPP BLATTER: BLATTER ATOA SIRI NZITO ASEMA MICHUANO YA JUU YA EUROPE INAPANGWA

Sepp Blatter boss wa zamani wa FIFA ambae alisimamishwa kutokana na tuhuma za rushwa na ambae yuko chini ya uchunguzi amesema michuano ya Europe hupangwa wakati timu zinachaguliwa kuwekwa kwenye makundi...Blatter amesema mipira ya moto na baridi hutumika kuchagua timu gani itacheza...Blatter amesema katika kiwango cha michuano ya dunia hakuna ujanja unaotumika bali michuano ya Europe ujanja unafanyika...

Amesema ujanja huo ni kwamba wanaweka mipira kweye fridge na wakati wa kuchagua unajua upi wa baridi upi wa moto...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

FIFA: GIANNI INFANTINO RAIS MPYA FIFA

FIFA jana ilichagua kiongozi mpya wa Shirikisho hilo katika zoezi la kupiga kura lililofanyika Zurich...Gianni Infantino amekua Rais mpya wa FIFA... Infantino alipata kura 115 na alimpita Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa kwa kura 27...Infantino amechukua nafasi ya Sepp Blatter ambae alikuwa rais wa FIFA toka 1998 na sasa Blatter amefungiwa miaka 6 kutojihusisha na shughuli zozote za mpira...Rais mpya wa FIFA alikuwa hata hana mpango wa kuwania urais lakini Michel Platini alipoacha kuwania urais Infantino aliingia kwenye kinyan'ganyiro cha urais...Ameahidi kusafisha FIFA na kurudisha sifa ya mpira...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

FIFA: BLATTER NA PLATINI WAFUNGIWA MIAKA 8

Kutokana na uchunguzi wa masuala ya rushwa ndani ya Fifa, kamati ya nidhamu imewafungia Sepp Blatter na Michel Platini miaka 8 kutojihusisha na kitu chochote kinacho husu mpira...Kwa mujibu wa uchunguzi Blatter na Platini wametumia vibaya ofisi za Fifa wakati Blatter alipompatia Platini ponds za Uingereza milioni 1.3...Blatter amesema atatetea jina late na atatetea Fifa na kuna watu wanamchafulia jina lake...Blatter ambae ni mswiss na Platini ambae ni mfaransa wamepigwa faini ya pounds 33,700 (Blatter) na pounds 54,000 (Platini)...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

FIFA: SEPP BLATTER ALAZWA KUTOKANA NA MSONGO WA MAWAZO

Boss wa FIFA, Sepp Blatter, ambae amesimamishwa kwa tuhuma za rushwa amelazwa kutokana na msongo wa mawazo...Blatter atakaa hospitalini mpaka Jumanne ijayo...Blatter alisimamishwa kwa siku 90 kutokana na uchunguzi wa pesa Euro milioni 2 alizompa Platini kwa kazi maalum...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

FIFA: WATU 7 KUCHUANA NAFASI YA JUU YA URAIS

Fifa wametoa majina 7 ambayo yatachuana February 26 kuwania nafasi ya urais wa Shirikisho la Soka Duniani...Majina hayo ni Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, Michel Platini, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Musa Bility na Tokyo Sexwale...Sepp Blater amesema atajiuzuru lakini sasa kasimamishwa kutokana na uchunguzi...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

FIFA: BLATTER NA PLATINI WASIMAMISHWA

Kamati ya nidhamu imewasimamisha Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini na Jerome Valcke kwa muda wa siku 90...Blatter ni rais wa FIFA, Platini ni makamu rais na Valcke ni katibu na wamesimamishwa kutokana na contract ambayo haikuisaidia FIFA na pia pesa kiasi cha milioni 1.32 pounds za Uingereza alizopokea Platini kutoka kwa Blatter...FIFA pia wamemsimamisha makamu rais wa zamani Chung-Mong joon miaka 6... 

Issa Hayatou ambaye ni rais wa CAF atakuwa rais wa muda wa FIFA na amesema hato ingia kwenye kinyanganyiro cha kutafuta rais mpya wa FIFA...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.