FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been summoned to appear before Congress after an investigation was launched into the governing body's ties with President Donald Trump and his administration.
Red Card Controversy Sparks Outrage
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has long been scrutinised, with the President receiving the newly-created 'FIFA Peace Prize' at the World Cup draw in December, months after the governing body opened an office in Trump Tower in Manhattan. Criticism intensified during the World Cup itself, with one move sparking global outrage.
United States striker Folarin Balogun was shown a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32, meaning he would miss the last-16 clash with Belgium. However, FIFA announced the red card had been suspended for a year, allowing him to face the Belgians.
It was later revealed that President Trump had called Infantino to discuss Balogun's ban before it was suspended. Trump later thanked FIFA on social media for reversing "a great injustice."
Congress Demands Documents
As reported by The Guardian, Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, has written to Infantino calling for FIFA to hand over documents and communications related to "gifts, payments or benefits provided to Trump and his associates" as well as visitor logs for the body's office in Trump Tower.
Infantino has also been asked to appear before the committee for a transcribed interview. The deadline of August 9 has been set for the requested documents and the interview to be scheduled.
However, as Democrats do not hold the majority in the House, Raskin cannot compel Infantino to attend unless he gains support from Republicans.
In his letter, Raskin wrote: "Your election as Fifa president was supposed to mark a red-card break from a decades-long culture of corruption and scandals that dressed down world soccer’s reputation. Instead, at the start of your tenure, you dismantled Fifa’s ethical guardrails and disabled the organization’s ethics committee by pushing out most of its members."
He added: "This lack of transparency and oversight has since paved the way for you to ingratiate yourself with the Trump administration via tactics that a New York University law professor and one of your former ethics committeemen described as ‘legal bribery’."
Infantino Hits Back at Critics
It comes after Infantino issued a lengthy statement defending FIFA, accusing critics of being "consumed by hate and criticism." He wrote: "To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all."
He added: "To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world. While you hide, we are exploring the streets of Canada, Mexico and the United States, talking with fans, engaging with people and ensuring everyone's safety. While you divide, we unite."
