BRUSSELS (AP) — A group of European lawmakers is seeking support to initiate an investigation in the European Parliament regarding FIFA President Gianni Infantino's role in allowing U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite receiving a red card. Balogun received a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which typically would render him ineligible for the next match. However, FIFA lifted his suspension on Monday following intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump, who contacted Infantino on behalf of the 25-year-old striker.
Lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang issued a joint statement criticizing FIFA's decision to alter the rule on red card suspensions during the tournament, calling it a "disgrace and a perversion of justice." They expressed concern that Infantino and FIFA have yielded to the demands of the Trump administration.
The lawmakers are urging national football associations in EU countries to encourage the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino's actions and whether the Trump administration's pressure influenced the suspension's lifting, along with potential breaches of political neutrality, such as awarding Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.
FIFA has stated that the decision to lift the suspension was made by a disciplinary committee. The lawmakers reported that 35 colleagues have signed their letter, emphasizing that the integrity of sport relies on impartial and transparent rules, which they believe are compromised when political pressure affects player eligibility.