Trump’s FIFA role draws fierce Spanish newspaper criticism over football ethics

A Spanish newspaper has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, accusing the US president of corrupting football by using his growing influence over FIFA to push the sport beyond “the minimum ethical boundaries”.

AS said Trump had become increasingly involved in FIFA decision-making and argued that, when faced with a choice between Trump and football, the wider game had chosen the former.

“There is no doubt that the FIFA presidency has a political dimension,” the newspaper wrote. “People say of Infantino when he appears at tournaments or conferences: he looks like a prime minister. And that is true. The power of the organisation he leads, and the industry it represents, is enormous.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has developed relationships with several influential political figures, according to AS. The newspaper cited his dealings with Vladimir Putin at the 2018 World Cup, the Emir of Qatar and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the 2022 and 2034 tournaments, and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI.

Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

“Infantino handled the political landscape well, beginning with Putin at the 2018 World Cup, continuing with the Emir of Qatar and the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the 2022 and 2034 tournaments,” AS said. “He is also an ally of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, where the Arab country will share hosting duties for the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.”

The newspaper said that strategy appeared to be working until Infantino encountered Trump, who was expected to host the 2026 World Cup through the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“Everything seemed to be going well with this strategy until he came up against the person who was supposed to host the 2026 edition: Donald Trump,” it added.

AS argued that Trump’s distance from football culture, combined with the absence of anyone willing to stop him, had allowed his influence to grow unchecked.

“Perhaps because he belongs to a culture far removed from football, or perhaps because nobody has ever stopped him, the US president gained increasing influence over decision-making until he crossed the minimum ethical boundaries,” the newspaper wrote.

It criticised Trump for appointing himself chairman of the 2026 World Cup task force, despite Mexico and Canada also being involved in staging the tournament. It also accused him of turning the Oval Office and the White House into a television spectacle that conflicted with football’s supposed neutrality.

“Infantino and the World Cup appeared there time and again as if they were Trump’s latest toys,” AS said.

The newspaper also referred to Cristiano Ronaldo’s visit to the United States shortly before the World Cup. His entry had previously been uncertain because of earlier legal issues, but those doubts disappeared when he travelled to the country.

AS said Infantino had gradually been placed in a subordinate position to Trump. At the Club World Cup final, Trump was invited on to the presentation platform and given the same prominence as Chelsea’s players, who were unable to make room for photographs.

“Fortunately, Rodri managed to take his picture before the trophy was lifted, which was Spain’s second title,” the newspaper wrote.

The criticism intensified after Infantino presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in Washington, a move AS described as embarrassing for football.

It also claimed Trump accepted scheduled water breaks that were, in reality, advertising breaks, as well as a performance lasting almost half an hour at half-time during the final.

The Folarin Balogun case was described as the breaking point. AS said a phone call Trump acknowledged having with Infantino led to the player’s suspension being lifted in a shameful manner.

The newspaper also criticised a proposal to allocate 20% of World Cup revenues to funds linked to Trump, calling it another breaking point.

“Public opinion and UEFA were waiting for Infantino’s response,” AS concluded. “This clash was inevitable. It was inevitable that the world would choose football.”