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 was issued a red card during the U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which typically would render him ineligible for the subsequent game. However, FIFA lifted his suspension on Monday following intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang issued a joint statement criticizing FIFA's decision to alter the rules on red card suspensions during the tournament, labeling it a “disgrace and a perversion of justice.” They expressed concern that Infantino and FIFA capitulated to the Trump administration's demands.
The lawmakers are requesting that the national football associations of EU member states encourage the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino's actions and whether political pressure influenced the suspension's lifting, as well as potential breaches of political neutrality, including the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump.
FIFA has stated that the decision to lift the suspension was made by a disciplinary committee. The lawmakers noted that 35 colleagues have signed their letter, emphasizing the importance of impartiality and transparency in sports.