₦airaland Forum

As football figures eagerly shared Gianni Infantino’s humiliating climbdown, many willingly staying up well into the early hours of Saturday, a resolve was only hardened.

The sentiment was very much that step one was achieved. Now for step two: “He’s still got to go.”

Most of Infantino’s power base has certainly gone, possibly right up to the patronage of Donald Trump. When the US president was asked whether he had been consulted about the plan on Friday, Trump dismissed it – and, by extension, a figure he has offered unusual praise for – with one word. “No.”

And that was it. This might be it now.

Uefa has already declared that it has “lost confidence”.

One leading figure spoke of how “his leadership has been exposed as poor, his character questionable, his interests self-interested and he is absolutely the wrong person to lead Fifa”.

Even by the standards of football and everything around Infantino, it’s been quite a week.


Monday: in an apparently unassailable position and heading for another presidential term, to the point he berates media for criticism.

Friday: his world collapsing and the rest of the world attacking him in a way that had previously been unseen.

No other serious organisation could go through this kind of public humiliation, with all credibility undermined, without heads rolling and thorough cultural inquests.


It’s why “step three” should be more important than one or two: that there is proper accountability and an acknowledgement that this is ultimately about much more than one man and one week.

Fifa executive Kevin Lamour, one of the few figures to come out of this with his reputation enhanced, summed it up superbly in a statement on Friday that was seen as the real killer blow to Infantino. “Regarding this project and what comes next, everyone must take responsibility.”

It has been a classic week of political collapse in that sense, with football figures comparing it to the demise of Margaret Thatcher. The fall might take a while, but when it comes, it comes quickly.

It is also why, as bad as such a week can initially be in terms of showcasing all the dismal forces dictating the game, it can bring out some of the good. Football executives, often criticised for lethargy, were “electrified”.

It is similarly very much a moral victory that the World Cup’s future and nature haven’t been decided at something like an invite-only billionaires’ retreat called the Allen & Co Conference, where the outline of this plan was decided last year. The gall of these people, especially in attempting to use the people’s game, is astonishing.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, who can be rightly criticised for some of the same issues as Infantino, got to show what he excels at.

As with the Super League, he spoke admirably, and stirringly. As with the Super League, though, so many of the problems that led to this remain.

Ironfaceman:
How are the mighty have fallen.

When Omar urtan a Fifa grade A referee was detained and treated like a criminal by ICE.

Many taught Infantino would wade in due to his closenes to Trump. But to the surprise of all Omar was kept in a wire cage through out the night was giving a reason and put on a plane the next day back to Somalia.

I knew Infantino’s end was near.infantino has shown his just after money and have no principles.

EponObi:
The world thought Sepp Blatter was bad, this Gianni Infantino is terrible.

He single-handedly made the world hate this 2026 world cup because of stupid politics.

Even though Blatter was corrupt to the core, at least he prioritized the integrity of the game. He gave us 2002 South Japan/Korea, 2006 Germany, 2010 South Africa, and 2014 Brazil world cups. Arguably the best world cup editions in the last three decades. Banger back to back.

This Infantino just made a mess of the 2026 world cup. From irrational high ticket prices, to the USA playing politics with participants' Visa to humiliating airport searches of teams, to overruling Folarin Balogun's red card. That particular red card was a big slap to all football fans and participating countries. He come turn himself to Trump errand boy. Trump don use and dump am.

Infantino's grave mistake was giving hosting rights to the USA. Before the tournament started, I knew his time was over.

He can't escape this axe. Since UEFA no longer have confidence in him, it's over. He won't be missed.

EponObi:
The world thought Sepp Blatter was bad, this Gianni Infantino is terrible.

He single-handedly made the world hate this 2026 world cup because of stupid politics.

Even though Blatter was corrupt to the core, at least he prioritized the integrity of the game. He gave us 2002 South Japan/Korea, 2006 Germany, 2010 South Africa, and 2014 Brazil world cups. Arguably the best world cup editions in the last three decades. Banger back to back.

This Infantino just made a mess of the 2026 world cup. From irrational high ticket prices, to the USA playing politics with participants' Visa to humiliating airport searches of teams, to the inhumane treatment of the Iranian team, to senseless mid-game advertisement slot, to overruling Folarin Balogun's red card. That particular red card was a big slap to all football fans and participating countries. He come turn himself to Trump errand boy. Trump don use and dump am.

Infantino's grave mistake was giving hosting rights to the USA. Before the tournament started, I knew his time was over.

All these never blow over, you come propose sale of 20% stake of the world cup. He turned football to a game of the highest bidder.

He can't escape this axe. Since UEFA no longer have confidence in him, it's over. He won't be missed.

DeltaBachelor:
Chai. There is no place where corruption will thrive. It can only be for a short while

DennisEche:
So because of World Cup America shouldn't take their security serious, only terrorists are complaining of the security sop during the world Cup.
America decides who get her visa, you can't come from Somalia and expect cake in America not with their history

frankson1:
Don't forget that he was Blatter's boy. When Blatter was forced to step down, he placed Infantino. The criminal followed the footstep of his former godfather only that he didn't know how to hide it.

2022 world cup was also terrible.

He no listen well in class when him mentor dey teach am

duduade:
J

But it is still striving in Nigeria and will continue to strive for a very very very longgg time

DennisEche:
So because of World Cup America shouldn't take their security serious, only terrorists are complaining of the security sop during the world Cup.
America decides who get her visa, you can't come from Somalia and expect cake in America not with their history

EponObi:
He no listen well in class when him mentor dey teach am

EponObi:
The world thought Sepp Blatter was bad, this Gianni Infantino is terrible.

He single-handedly made the world hate this 2026 world cup because of stupid politics.

Even though Blatter was corrupt to the core, at least he prioritized the integrity of the game. He gave us 2002 South Japan/Korea, 2006 Germany, 2010 South Africa, and 2014 Brazil world cups. Arguably the best world cup editions in the last three decades. Banger back to back.

This Infantino just made a mess of the 2026 world cup. From irrational high ticket prices, to the USA playing politics with participants' Visa, to humiliating airport searches of teams, to the inhumane treatment of the Iranian team, to senseless mid-game advertisement slots, to overruling Folarin Balogun's red card. That particular red card was a big slap to all football fans and participating countries. He come turn himself to Trump errand boy. Trump don use and dump am.

Infantino's grave mistake was giving hosting rights to the USA. Before the tournament started, I knew his time was over.

All these never blow over, you come propose sale of 20% stake of the world cup. He turned football to a game of the highest bidder. Mind you, he was also floating the idea of expanding the next world to 64 teams from this current ridiculous 48 teams. SIXTY FOUR!!!!!

He can't escape this axe. Since UEFA no longer have confidence in him, it's over. He won't be missed.

frankson1:
You don't even know when you sound so dull and unintelligent because you want to argue everything

DeltaBachelor:
Chai. There is no place where corruption will thrive. It can only be for a short while

Fiscus105:
How can a man leading an organization of magnitude as FIFA be hobnobbing with Trump? A power drunk clown.
I'm very sure, those who pushed Trump to lead America already regretting, their action now.
Since the day FIFA cancelled red card given to Balogun and allowed him to face Belgium, not even when Trump and other America political leaders publicly against it, "lo and be hold" it cancelled. I knew this man days are numbered at FIFA.
I have never heard any football tournament, in which, political leaders of hosting nations significantly involved like 2026 world cup.

If it's not that Infatino has been bewitched by lunatic spirit following Trump, he would have waited for his reelection before he announced this type of policy, but wen a man looses his own mind and started follow a foolish and power drunk man like a bambiala.........he would be talking before he he thinks.

Fiscus105:
How can a man leading an organization of magnitude as FIFA be hobnobbing with Trump? A power drunk clown.
I'm very sure, those who pushed Trump to lead America already regretting, their action now.
Since the day FIFA cancelled red card given to Balogun and allowed him to face Belgium, not even when Trump and other America political leaders publicly against it, "lo and be hold" it cancelled. I knew this man days are numbered at FIFA.
I have never heard any football tournament, in which, political leaders of hosting nations significantly involved like 2026 world cup.

If it's not that Infatino has been bewitched by lunatic spirit following Trump, he would have waited for his reelection before he announced this type of policy, but wen a man looses his own mind and started follow a foolish and power drunk man like a bambiala.........he would be talking before he he thinks.