European Lawmakers Demand Probe Into Trump-Infantino FIFA Interference

Dozens of European Parliament lawmakers are calling for a formal investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino to determine if political pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump influenced the reversal of a red-card suspension for striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun was sent off during a July 1 World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which normally mandates a one-match ban. However, FIFA utilized a previously unused legal loophole to suspend the punishment, allowing Balogun to play in a round-of-16 match against Belgium on July 7.

Donald Trump confirmed he contacted Infantino to describe the red card as unfair and later thanked the FIFA chief for reversing a "great injustice." Despite the intervention, the United States lost 4-1 to Belgium and was eliminated from the tournament. UEFA condemned the reversal as "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable," and the Belgian Football Federation launched a formal challenge against Balogun's eligibility.

Lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang, along with 35 colleagues, labeled the mid-tournament rule change a "perversion of justice." They are urging EU national football associations to pressure the FIFA Ethics Committee to probe potential neutrality breaches, citing the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump as further evidence of an improper alliance. Infantino has rejected claims of political interference, maintaining that the decision was made by an independent disciplinary committee. Despite demands for his resignation from figures like Sir Ed Davey and Jurgen Klopp, Infantino intends to seek re-election in March 2027.