EU lawmakers demand investigation into Gianni Infantino over Trump relationship
European politicians are collecting signatures for a FIFA Ethics Committee investigation into Gianni Infantino following the reversal of Folarin Balogun's suspension.
Dozens of European parliamentarians are gathering support for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding his professional conduct. Lawmakers are questioning the organization's independence following the decision to allow U.S. forward Folarin Balogun to play in the 2026 World Cup despite a prior red card.
Balogun was sent off during the United States' victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1. Normally, this would have ruled him out for the subsequent match, but FIFA overturned the suspension ahead of the Round of 16. Reports suggest the decision followed personal intervention by Donald Trump on behalf of the 25-year-old player.
MEPs Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang released a joint statement calling the decision to change suspension rules mid-tournament a "disgrace and a perversion of justice." They have urged national football associations across the European Union to pressure the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate whether political pressure from the Trump administration influenced the ruling, as well as questioning other actions like awarding the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump.
FIFA has maintained that the lifting of the suspension was the result of a decision by an independent disciplinary committee. To date, 35 lawmakers have signed the letter, asserting that the integrity of the sport relies on impartial and transparent rules rather than political influence.