According to Spanish media reports, the Spanish newspaper AS launched a fierce attack on US President Trump on Sunday, saying he is ruining football.
The Spanish newspaper AS wrote that the US president's influence on FIFA's decisions has expanded to the point that it has crossed the minimum ethical line. Between Trump and football, the world has chosen the latter.
The report also stated: "The position of FIFA president is undoubtedly political. When people see Infantino at tournaments or press conferences, they often say he looks like a prime minister, and that's true. The organization he leads and the industry it represents wield immense power. Infantino is adept at handling political situations, from his close ties with Putin during the 2018 World Cup, to his interactions with the Emir of Qatar and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the 2022 and 2034 tournaments, and his alliance with King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal."
The newspaper went on to write: "This strategy seemed to be working well until he met the man who should have hosted the 2026 World Cup: Trump."
AS continued: "Perhaps because he is detached from football culture, or perhaps because no one has ever stopped him, the US president's influence on decision-making has grown to the point of crossing the minimum ethical line. He appointed himself chairman of the 2026 World Cup organizing committee, even though Mexico and Canada are also co-organizing the event. He has turned the Oval Office and the White House into a television show, which runs counter to the neutrality of football."
The newspaper also wrote: "Infantino and the World Cup appeared there time and time again, as if they were Trump's last toy. Even Ronaldo, whose entry into the country was uncertain due to previous legal issues, arrived in the United States shortly before the start of the World Cup. Those doubts vanished at that moment."
The newspaper continued, "Infantino gradually yielded to Trump. He invited Trump to stand on the Club World Cup podium, making his presence as strong as that of the Chelsea players, who couldn't even squeeze into a spot for a photo. Fortunately, Rodri managed to take his own photo before lifting the World Cup trophy, which was Spain's second World Cup title."
At the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize, a move that embarrassed the football world. Trump accepted what was supposed to be a water break, which was actually a commercial break, and then accepted a nearly half-hour performance between the two halves of the World Cup final.
The Balogun affair became the final straw: Trump admitted to calling Infantino, resulting in the player's humiliating lifting of his suspension. Subsequently, the suggestion to sell 20% of the World Cup revenue to a Trump-linked foundation was again met with widespread disapproval.
Public opinion and UEFA are awaiting Infantino's response. This standoff is inevitable. Ultimately, the world chooses football, not Trump.
