Dozens of European lawmakers are seeking to launch an investigation in the European Parliament concerning FIFA President Gianni Infantino, citing his alleged involvement in a decision that allowed U.S. player Folarin Balogun to play despite an earlier red card.
Balogun received a red card on July 1 during a U.S. match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which would typically render him ineligible for the next game. However, FIFA reportedly lifted his suspension for a match on Monday after former U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with Infantino on behalf of the 25-year-old striker.
European Parliament lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang released a joint statement calling FIFA's decision to alter the red card suspension rule mid-tournament a "disgrace and a perversion of justice." They stated, "Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration."
The lawmakers are urging national football associations within EU countries to prompt the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino. The proposed investigation would examine whether pressure from the Trump administration influenced the lifting of the suspension, as well as explore "other potential breaches of political neutrality," such as the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump.
FIFA has stated that the suspension was lifted by a disciplinary committee. According to the lawmakers, 35 colleagues have so far signed their letter.
"The beauty of sport is that it is based on impartial and transparent rules," the lawmakers said. "When Infantino allows political pressure to determine who gets to play, this sense of fairness goes out the window."