Controversy in European Parliament Over FIFA’s Suspension Handling

BRUSSELS (AP) — Several European lawmakers are rallying for an investigation in the European Parliament targeting FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This concerns his role in permitting U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite receiving a prior red card.

Balogun received the red card during the U.S. team’s win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which typically disqualifies a player from the next match. However, FIFA lifted the suspension for a Monday game following intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump with Infantino in support of the striker.

European Parliament members Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang criticized FIFA’s decision to alter red card suspension rules during the tournament. In a statement, they labeled this act as a “disgrace and a perversion of justice.” The statement expressed concern over FIFA seemingly yielding to Trump’s requests.

A joint statement from lawmakers emphasized, “Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration.”

European lawmakers are urging the football associations of EU nations to prompt the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino. They’re questioning if Trump’s influence led to the suspension revocation and highlighting possible political neutrality breaches, such as the suggestion that Trump be given the FIFA Peace Prize.

FIFA has maintained that the decision to lift Balogun’s suspension was made by a disciplinary committee.

So far, 35 colleagues have signed the European lawmakers’ letter.

The lawmakers stated, “The beauty of sport is rooted in impartial and transparent rules. When Infantino succumbs to political pressure affecting player eligibility, fairness is compromised.”