Klopp joins calls for Infantino resignation over World Cup saga

Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, has added his voice to a growing chorus demanding FIFA President Gianni Infantino's resignation. The controversy centers on the Folarin Balogun saga during the World Cup, where the U.S. striker was initially sent off but allowed to play in a crucial match after his ban was suspended.

The decision to suspend Balogun's ban reportedly followed a personal intervention from then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump later boasted about calling Infantino to request a "review" of the sanction. This apparent political interference has drawn sharp criticism from within the football community, with Klopp labeling the situation "madness" that "calls everything into question."

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This is our sport, not theirs. If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.

Klopp, who is rumored to be the next manager of the German national team, stated, "This is our sport, not theirs." He expressed disbelief that Trump and Infantino could allegedly resolve such matters between themselves, highlighting concerns about the integrity of football's governance.

Former England striker Gary Lineker also weighed in, suggesting that U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino might have been better served by leaving Balogun out of the match against Belgium, regardless of the ban's suspension. Lineker felt that such a decision would have upheld the integrity of the game. Infantino has also faced condemnation from his predecessor, Sepp Blatter, and UEFA, while British politicians have also called for his resignation.

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Obviously, you’ve got to give a lot of credit to Belgium. They didn’t let that decision get to them, bringing Balogun back. And I thought this at the time, it would have been a good play for either Balogun or Mauricio Pochettino to just say, actually, I don’t think that’s right for football, the integrity of the game, and the integrity of the sport. And I wonder whether they were better off just saying, ‘Actually, we’re going to leave him out anyway’.