​Several MEPs from across the European Parliament have urged football associations within EU member states to advocate for a formal inquiry into FIFA president Gianni Infantino. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, they called on FIFA to clarify whether Infantino participated in the decision to lift the suspension imposed on US World Cup striker Folarin Balogun and whether any pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump influenced that ruling.
“A red line has been crossed,” declared Danish Social Democrat MEP Niels Fuglsang in the statement. “Football should bring people together, not become a conduit for political favoritism. When the FIFA President blurs the boundary between sport and politics, the integrity of the game itself is placed at risk.” Fuglsang is one of three initiators of the open letter, which, according to officials, has already garnered 55 parliamentary signatures.
Balogun received a red card in the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last-32 stage, which meant he was suspended for the subsequent last-16 match against Belgium. In a surprising move, FIFA subsequently lifted the suspension, a decision that startled the world of football.
Trump has said he spoke with Infantino to request a review of the suspension. Infantino countered that the decision to lift the ban was not influenced by Trump’s involvement. Balogun, who started the match for the United States, watched as Belgium defeated the US 4-1, ending their World Cup campaign.
The call for an investigation comes amid growing concern among European lawmakers about the perceived entanglement of sport and politics at the highest levels within football governance. The open letter’s signatories argue that transparency is essential to maintaining trust in FIFA and the sport’s competitive integrity, particularly when decisions carry global implications for teams, players, and fans.
MEPs emphasize that any appearance of external pressure undermines the principles of fair play and merit-based competition that football purists expect from international organizations. They stress the need for independent oversight to reassess decisions that have sparked controversy and to ensure that future rulings are rooted firmly in sport-specific considerations rather than political or diplomatic influences.
In the broader context, the Balogun case has prompted a broader debate about discipline, appeal processes, and the governance standards governing FIFA. Critics have long argued that governance reforms are overdue, pointing to past episodes that have raised questions about transparency, accountability, and the potential for political interference in football decisions.
Supporters of Infantino have defended the decision to review Balogun’s suspension as a timely measure aimed at ensuring fairness and consistency in refereeing standards, while noting that FIFA’s internal processes are designed to operate independently of political actors. They contend that the lifting of the ban followed established procedures and was based on factors related to the contest and the player’s disciplinary record.
As this issue unfolds, European parliamentarians say they will monitor developments closely and call for an independent inquiry if necessary to restore confidence in FIFA’s decision-making processes. They point to the importance of safeguarding the sport’s integrity, ensuring that major rulings are the result of objective assessments rather than external pressure or political considerations, and preserving the reputation of football as a universal sport that transcends national interests.