2026 World Cup: Gianni Infantino in hot water

The Folarin Balogun red card controversy has taken a political twist, with the European Parliament stepping in and demanding an investigation into Gianni Infantino's role.

What started as a refereeing dispute has now escalated into a major state affair. A group of Members of the European Parliament has launched an initiative urging European football federations to contact FIFA and shed full light on the circumstances that led to the lifting of the American striker's suspension. Balogun was allowed to play in the round of 16 match, which the United States lost to Belgium (4-1). In a letter sent to the 27 EU football federations, the signatories argue that it's time for national bodies—all FIFA members—to step in and demand an inquiry into the decision-making process behind this ruling.

A "perversion of justice," say MEPs

The letter, spearheaded by Irish MEP Barry Andrews, doesn't mince words regarding the president of world football's governing body.

"Once again, we've seen Infantino and FIFA give in to the demands of the Trump administration," he denounced,

going so far as to call the episode a "shame and a perversion of justice." The lawmakers now demand that FIFA leaders be held accountable if it's proven they've violated the rules of political neutrality that are supposed to guide the organization.

See also: 2026 World Cup: UN also condemns racist comments targeting Mbappé

This controversy follows a confirmed phone call between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino regarding Balogun's suspension, though the American president insists he made no specific demands. For its part, FIFA continues to defend the complete independence of its disciplinary committee in a case that is growing on both sides of the Atlantic.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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