FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing mounting pressure after 72 members of the European Parliament called for a formal investigation into his role in the controversial decision to lift United States striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the FIFA World Cup.
The lawmakers have written to the heads of the 27 European Union football associations, urging them to demand an immediate review of the decision-making process that allowed Balogun to avoid serving a red card ban.
The controversy intensified following reports that United States President Donald Trump personally contacted Infantino to lobby on the player's behalf.
In their letter, the lawmakers argued that European football associations, as FIFA member associations, have a duty to seek accountability, citing FIFA’s Statutes and Code of Ethics as the legal basis for an investigation.
They referenced Article 4(2) of the FIFA Statutes, which requires political neutrality, and Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which obliges football officials to remain free from political influence. The group also backed calls by the Norwegian Football Federation for greater scrutiny of the Balogun case.
Infantino has rejected suggestions of wrongdoing, maintaining that FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently. He said he merely explained the governing body's disciplinary procedures to Trump and did not interfere in the legal process.
UEFA has also criticised the decision, warning that any perception of political interference threatens the integrity and credibility of the competition. European football’s governing body argued that the ruling sets a concerning precedent and called for equal treatment in similar disciplinary cases throughout the remainder of the tournament.
