European Lawmakers Seek Probe Into FIFA Chief Infantino Over US Player Balogun's Red Card Reversal

Brussels: A group of European lawmakers is pushing for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the decision to allow United States striker Folarin Balogun to play despite receiving a red card earlier in the FIFA World Cup.

Balogun was sent off during the United States' victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, a dismissal that would ordinarily have ruled him out of his team's following match. However, FIFA lifted the suspension ahead of Monday's game after US President Donald Trump reportedly intervened with Infantino on the player's behalf.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from members of the European Parliament. Lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang issued a joint statement condemning FIFA's decision to alter red-card suspension rules during the tournament.

The lawmakers argued that the decision undermined the integrity of the competition and accused FIFA of yielding to political pressure from the Trump administration.

They have called on national football associations across the European Union to urge FIFA's Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino's role in the matter, including whether political influence played a part in lifting Balogun's suspension. They also want the inquiry to examine other potential breaches of political neutrality, including FIFA's decision to award Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.

FIFA has rejected suggestions of political interference, maintaining that the decision to lift Balogun's suspension was taken independently by its disciplinary committee.

According to the lawmakers, 35 members of the European Parliament have already backed the call for an investigation. They argued that sport must remain governed by impartial and transparent rules, warning that allowing political influence to shape disciplinary decisions damages public confidence in the fairness of international football.