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Former England striker Gary Lineker has sharply criticised FIFA president Gianni Infantino following the controversy created by the decision to suspend the ban of US striker Folarin Balogun.
Infantino is facing mounting pressure after FIFA decided to suspend the one-match ban for Balogun, who was sent off in the United States' 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decision allowed the forward to play in the round of 16 match against Belgium.
The decision has sparked a backlash, particularly as England defender Jarrell Quansah was handed a two-match ban for his red card against Mexico. It means he will miss England's quarter-final against Norway and, if the Three Lions qualify, the semi-final.
The controversy has intensified after US President Donald Trump publicly stated that he had asked FIFA to review Balogun's case, raising questions about political influence in the decision-making of world football's highest institution.
Speaking on "The Rest is Football," Lineker said that Infantino's position at the helm of FIFA is seriously under question.
"I think his position at FIFA is now almost untenable ," the former England captain declared.
"FIFA has created this situation itself. How is it possible that Quansah is banned for two matches while Balogun escapes suspension? It is a scandal and a very bad image for FIFA," he said.
The criticism was also joined by former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who compared Infantino to the comic character Basil Fawlty.
"He only has one job to do, but he keeps getting in the way and messing things up," Cole said.
While Micah Richards called the way FIFA handled the Balogun case "an absolute farce."
UEFA also reacted with a strong statement, calling FIFA's decision "incomprehensible" and stressing that it had "crossed a red line."
The Belgian Football Federation also expressed dissatisfaction, threatening to take legal action against FIFA, stating that it was "surprised" by this unprecedented decision.
However, the controversy did not affect the outcome of the match, as Balogun had a lackluster performance and the USA was eliminated after a heavy 4-1 loss to Belgium.
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