Gianni Infantino resignation update as Folarin Balogun fall-out intensifies - top source

Gianni Infantino will not resign from his post as FIFA president after the controversy surrounding the suspension of USA forward Folarin Balogun.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that calls for the Swiss chief to step down will be "pointless."

This comes after the controversy Balogun had his red card from the USA's win over Bosnia suspended, under pressure from the US government.

Infantino has faced growing calls from across the football world to step down from his role, but Wyness is adamant that his exit isn't even a possibility.

The USA have since been eliminated from the World Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium on Tuesday, despite Balogun being cleared to play in the game.

The saga has thrust Infantino's relationship with US president Donald Trump into the spotlight even further, but his position at the helm of FIFA is not likely to be under threat.

Keith Wyness: Gianni Infantino has FIFA presidency 'locked up'

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Infantino has already done enough to have "locked up" another term as FIFA president.

The 56-year-old has already made it clear that he will stand for re-election in 2027, and Wyness is certain that he is well-placed to continue his role.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he emphasised that Infantino has already all-but guaranteed enough votes to emerge victorious again.

"People should be under no illusion. Infantino is going to get re-elected again next year, and he's going to carry on being the head of FIFA for quite some time," the Scottish businessman said.

"So they've got to get used to it, and if there's going to be pressure, it's going to be brought internally to bear within FIFA. 

"We've got to be real about this, and all this outside stuff, I'm afraid, isn't going to work. Calling for Infantino's resignation is pointless. It isn't going to happen. 

"He's already got the votes locked up to win the next election. So we've got to find other ways to try and influence things. 

"Often, working within FIFA is still the best way to try and do this. It's difficult, but I'm afraid it's FIFA. It's a very strange animal."

Ex-Tottenham man calls for Mauricio Pochettino to resign

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider on Monday that USA manager and ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino should have resigned over the Balogun saga.

He made it clear that the Argentine has effectively "endorsed" Trump's interference by picking Balogun for the defeat to Belgium, something which he deems to be "unforgivable."

King made it clear that Pochettino has "made enough money from football" to make his discontent clear by stepping away from the job to make a stand.

King was adamant that the whole USA setup are equally culpable for the controversy, but feels that Pochettino was the only one capable of making a stand.