Trump, Infantino et le football des puissants: le journalisme sportif ne peut plus se tourner vers l'autre côté.

The intersection of global power dynamics and sports governance has become increasingly prominent, with recent developments involving U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino drawing sharp criticism from Italian journalist Stefano Mannucci in an analysis published by Il Fatto Quotidiano. The piece highlights concerns over the influence of political figures and wealthy elites on international sports institutions, particularly football, and calls for greater journalistic scrutiny within the field. Mannucci argues that the era of unchecked authoritarianism, marked by attempts to undermine democratic norms and judicial independence, has extended into the realm of sports, where powerful individuals have begun exerting undue influence. Mannucci references Patti Smith’s reflections during an interview with Mannucci ahead of her Rome concert, where she expressed disillusionment with the optimistic vision of the 21st century as one of harmony and shared prosperity. Instead, he notes, reality has proven far more complex and troubling, with new fronts emerging in the struggle against authoritarian tendencies. He points specifically to the role of football, suggesting that past instances of political interference, such as the Nazi-era Olympics or military junta involvement in South American tournaments, are being revisited in contemporary times. A key example cited by Mannucci involves Trump's intervention in a FIFA disciplinary decision regarding Nigerian forward Alex Iwobi, who was suspended for breaching rules related to his availability for selection in a match between the United States and Belgium. According to the article, Trump reportedly pressured FIFA to overturn the suspension, allowing Iwobi to play. This action, Mannucci claims, reflects a broader pattern of powerful figures leveraging their influence to bend the rules of international sports organizations to their advantage. He further criticizes FIFA under Infantino’s leadership for its perceived acquiescence to such pressures, arguing that the organization has grown increasingly aligned with the interests of the powerful while punishing those who dare to challenge its authority. Mannucci describes this environment as one where the ideals of fairness and transparency are overshadowed by the presence of an unseen overseer, symbolized by Infantino himself. The article underscores the need for a transformation in sports journalism, which has historically been reluctant to engage deeply with issues beyond the surface-level aspects of the game. Mannucci suggests that the focus on internal matters, such as betting scandals, match-fixing, and doping, has often been superficial, with journalists returning to complacency rather than pursuing deeper investigations. He attributes this trend to a cultural tendency within the industry to celebrate heroes and avoid confrontation, leading to a lack of critical engagement with systemic issues. Over the past two decades, the increasing commercialization of sports has forced reporters to grapple with economic factors such as television rights, sponsorship deals, and financial reporting. While some journalists have recognized the opacity within these systems, they remain few in number, and those who choose to speak out face resistance and attempts at discredit. Mannucci identifies a small group of journalists who have begun to expose corruption, conflicts of interest, and other ethical violations, but emphasizes that they are often isolated and targeted. The current World Cup, according to Mannucci, has served as a wake-up call for many, highlighting how the actions of those in power within football could lead to the sport’s decline or at least a severe erosion of its credibility. He calls for a fundamental shift in the approach of sports journalism, urging reporters to work independently or collaboratively, much like in notable films, to uncover truths that might otherwise remain hidden. The article concludes with a reference to La Gazzetta dello Sport, noting the publication’s recent editorial stance under editor-in-chief Stefano Barigelli and specific investigative reports by journalists such as Filippo Maria Ricci, who faced restrictions in accessing certain high-profile matches. This development, Mannucci implies, signals a growing willingness among some media outlets to confront uncomfortable realities within the world of football.