The decision to allow U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play after receiving a red card has prompted action in the European Parliament. Lawmakers are gathering support to investigate FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s involvement in this decision.
Balogun was expelled from the game after receiving a red card during the U.S. team’s victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which usually results in being banned from the next match. Despite this, FIFA lifted his suspension, allowing him to play in a subsequent match. This decision happened following a reported intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump with Infantino.
European Parliament members Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang issued a joint statement condemning the decision. They claim the mid-tournament rule change regarding red card suspensions represents a ‘disgrace and a perversion of justice.’ According to the statement, FIFA and Infantino succumbed to pressure from the Trump administration.
The lawmakers are urging national football associations within the EU to prompt the FIFA Ethics Committee to examine Infantino’s actions. They seek clarity on whether political influence, particularly from the Trump administration, affected the suspension lift along with ‘other potential breaches of political neutrality’ such as awarding Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.
FIFA has stated that the decision to lift Balogun’s suspension came from a disciplinary committee. Yet, according to the lawmakers, 35 of their colleagues have already endorsed their letter challenging the decision.
They emphasize that sports should be governed by fair and transparent rules. Allowing political interference undermines the integrity of these principles, they argue.