Gianni Infantino called to resign amid 'corruption within FIFA' as World Cup controversy rages
Gianni Infantino should resign as president of FIFA amid growing calls for his job after the controversy of Folarin Balogun's overturned ban.
That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The United States striker was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week but had his ban suspended, making him available for the round of 16 clash with Belgium.
US President Donald Trump admitted that he had been the one to call Infantino and request that the ban be overturned, calling the integrity of the competition into question.
Mauricio Pochettino's side were ultimately beaten 4-1 by Belgium on Tuesday, but this is a story that will not go away so easily for the FIFA president.
Infantino has already launched his bid for re-election at next year's event and he remains likely to keep his position, but this scandal has placed him under more pressure than ever.
Bryan King calls for Gianni Infantino exit
Infantino's presidency has been littered with controversies and allegations of corruption since he replaced Sepp Blatter, who was found to be corrupt himself.
The 56-year-old's relationships with various political leaders have been called into question, as well as his involvement in the decisions to stage World Cups played in Qatar and set to be played in Saudi Arabia.
His relationship with Trump has been most scrutinised, however, with the bizarre 'FIFA Peace Prize' presented to the US president, who subsequently began a war on Iran which rages on to this day.
"Even Blatter said that this is wrong, Blatter," King told Football Insider. "They're both from the same cloth, those two, Infantino and him.
"I'm not going to say they're crooks, but there's a corruption within FIFA and that's been proved with Blatter, Jack Warner, the American delegation from past World Cups, buying votes.
"When is football going to wake up to this? And as for having 48 teams, three nations. It's money, money, money."
King added: "There's enough evidence from this World Cup that he should resign, but will he?"
How likely is Infantino to be re-elected?
211 countries within FIFA get a vote on the presidency, with a majority of 106 needed to win.
The countries of CONMEBOL, CAF and AFC have already stated their intention to vote for Infantino, giving him 111 votes already.
For that to change, a major competitor will need to stand against him following the controversy of this week.
The chances are that he will confirm a final four-year term, but it cannot be ruled out that there is a further development before then.