FIFA may have killed its own dream

FIFA President Gianni Infantino's decision to allow a suspended US player to compete has shattered the illusion of fairness in sports, according to a commentary in Svenska Dagbladet. The move, prompted by pressure from Donald Trump, signifies a dangerous shift where political power directly influences game logic.

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He got a red card. I didn't know what that meant and didn't think much of it. [...] But then I was told it means he can't play in the next match. I spoke to Gianni (Infantino) and asked FIFA to review the situation again. It's very unfair.

Infantino's intervention, where he asked FIFA to review the suspension of Folarin Balogun, is compared to a powerful man acting on a whim after seeing something on TV. This action, though seemingly minor compared to selling entire championships, fundamentally alters the nature of the competition. It moves the principles of power plays and corruption from the sidelines directly onto the field of play.

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It breaks the contract with its audience. Now the trust is impossible to restore.

The commentary argues that FIFA has historically maintained a deal with its audience: it could compromise on principles off the field, but the game itself had to remain fair. This allowed for the expansion of the sport, even with controversies like the exploitation of migrant workers. However, by allowing political interference in the game's rules, FIFA has not only abandoned its integrity but also diminished the magical allure that makes the tournament captivating. This opens the door for further manipulation and erodes the trust fans place in the competition.

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It breaks the illusion of fairness that the competition relies on.