Gianni Infantino is under renewed pressure as 72 European lawmakers demand a formal investigation into FIFA's handling of the Folarin Balogun red card incident. The USMNT striker was sent off during a round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina for a challenge widely considered soft. Balogun was initially suspended for the round-of-16 tie against Belgium, but FIFA overturned the ban, with Donald Trump claiming credit for the reversal.
Political interference allegations
FIFA denied any political interference, but Trump publicly stated his intervention influenced the decision. Balogun played against Belgium but the USMNT lost 4-1 and were eliminated. The controversy has sparked corruption claims, and now 72 members of the European Parliament have written to all 27 EU football associations urging an investigation.
The MEPs' letter states: "In light of the decision taken on Sunday to suspend the implementation of an automatic one-match suspension, we feel that it is time for European Football Associations... to intervene and ask that FIFA investigate the aforementioned decision-making processes."
FIFA's neutrality rules
The lawmakers argue FIFA violated its own rules on political neutrality. They cite Article 4(2) of the FIFA Statutes, which requires FIFA to remain neutral in politics and religion, and Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which mandates political neutrality for officials. The letter urges associations to support an investigation into Infantino's links to Trump and scrutiny of the decision to rescind Balogun's ban.
Meanwhile, the World Cup quarter-finals begin Thursday with Morocco vs France, followed by Spain vs Belgium, England vs Norway, and Argentina vs Colombia.
