“Yesterday's decision to suspend for a probationary period…the one-match automatic suspension…to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line."

These were the words of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in the aftermath of the news that engulfed the football world in furious debate. Across the globe, there was outrage that FIFA stepped in to suspend Balogun’s red card, whilst in the USA, FIFA and Infantino were praised. Discussion and arguments will continue for a long time to come, but I’m not here to address the ethics of such a decision, but rather appeal to the Football Association of Australia (FA).

Back in April of this year, the Asian Football Federation (AFC) came out in support of Gianni Infantino serving a third term as President of FIFA, at the general election due in 2027. The FA has taken the stance of typically prioritising diplomacy and alignment with the AFC over vocal, unconditional support. As a footballing nation, we can no longer be a passenger accepting the status quo, and must become active in upholding the integrity and values of the sport.

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Brazilian referee Raphael Claus issues a red card to Florian Balogun during the USA's game against Bosnia in the Round of 32
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Infantino has run FIFA like his own personal cabal, enriching himself and those around him. It’s why he garners so much support from the CONMEBOL, AFC, and CAF federations. With the support of every nation in these regions, Infantino would win the election easily, and secure a third term for himself.

Despite posing a loss this year, Infantino sent a video to the FA praising them for their running of the game and was quick to upload to his social media celebrating the Socceroos following their World Cup exit at the hands of Egypt. Infantino is a people pleaser. However, the FA cannot get lost in this mire of corruption over fake platitudes on social media.

From as far back as December 2025, the FA should have made its mind up to no longer back Infantino. It was in that month that Infantino bestowed authoritarian ruler, Donald Trump, with an unprecedented peace prize. An award never given in football before, and one that was never decided by a democratic process. This on the backdrop of heavy-handed tactics being implemented on the orders of Trump by ICE agents in the USA, even resulting in the deaths of US citizens. Trump further went on to start a war that engulfed the world in an oil crisis. Infantino has never cared about the wellbeing of football or the fans that make the game what it is. His list of corruption is lengthy.

  • In 2020, Infantino met with the Swiss Attorney General in private unrecorded meetings whilst Swiss authorities were investigating FIFA. The charges against FIFA were dropped
  • During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Infantino repeatedly defended Qatar’s record on migrant worker treatments, and treatment of marginalised and minority groups. This was coupled with his decision to move his residence to Qatar before the 2022 World Cup undermining FIFA’s independence and create a clear conflict of interest.
  • When claims against Infantino were brought forward in 2016 regarding ethics, an internal FIFA ethics committee cleared him of any charges. The investigation provided no transparency or clarity on the process and the reason for the dropping of charges.
  • The 2026 World Cup was increased to 48 teams, and whilst it has provided us with some wonderful stories, it has brought into question the lack of welfare for players who already play arduous seasons, the increased level of travel resulting in massive CO2 emissions, and the increased commercialisation of the sport. Infantino already holds hopes to expand the competition again, exacerbating these issues further.
  • Infantino rushed through the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup bid to ensure Saudi Arabia was granted hosting rights. Despite concerns raised on the ethical and legal nature of the bidding process, Infantino laughed it off and pressed ahead.
  • Despite promising more transparency under his leadership, FIFA has become increasingly centralised in its power, has reduced any oversight, and has watered down any checks and balances on finances, sponsorships, legalities, and ethics.
  • The commercialisation of football has taken FIFA from an organisation for fans, to an organisation for the wealthy. With ticket prices at some World Cup games in the millions of dollars, Infantino has laughed off that these were a major concern, instead doubling down by joking, “If somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million, I will personally bring him a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience".
  • His lack of care for the environment is worrying. In the first two weeks of the World Cup, Infantino took 27 private jet flights generating an estimated 516 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 115 Australians. At a time when the world is fighting a hard battle against climate change, Infantino’s reckless regard for the environment speaks volumes to his lack of care.
  • Then there is the case of Omar Artan, the Iranian Football Team, and the hordes of fans denied entry to the USA. Infantino famously declared that “everyone will be welcome”, yet that was not the case. Even a FIFA recognised referee was not beyond the authoritative rules of the US regime. The Iranian football team were treated like criminals during their time at the World Cup, and many fans were denied entry on arrival to the USA despite having obtained legal visas. In all of this, Infantino was quiet. Silent and cowering on his million-dollar jet to private functions currying favour with people who offered very little to football or football fans.
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Martin Kugeler and Heather Garriock lead a new looking FA
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It is time for Martin Kugeler and Heather Garriock to stand up to the dictator that Infantino is becoming. Whilst we hope to maintain relationships within the AFC, we have a bigger duty to ensuring the integrity of football is upheld. Infantino is degrading football, turning it into a play toy for the uber wealthy, and laughing in the face of fans. Infantino’s recent decision to suspend Balogun’s suspension is the latest in a litany of evidence proving his complete disregard for the integrity of football. FIFA rules make it clear that FIFA itself cannot intervene on suspensions during World Cups.

Following the Balogun suspension, former Australian footballer Craig Foster said it best when he said, “it’s undermining the integrity of the entire tournament…It’s all about power”. Foster has spent years working tirelessly for the betterment of the sport, famously spending time in 2019 fighting and winning the case of Hakeem Al-Araibi in Thailand to have him safely returned to Australia.

The FA has two paths. One will prove to the fans that it has no regard for the integrity of football and the respect of the fans. The other may lose us some friends in the AFC, but it will allow us to leave with our dignity intact, and position us in a situation to work with other federations to impact positive change within football.
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