European Parliament members call for a probe of FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his Trump call
Fortune • • sports
Key Points:
- U.S. striker Balogun had a red card suspension lifted by FIFA for a match after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened, despite normally being ineligible to play following the red card.
- European Parliament lawmakers criticized FIFA's decision to change the suspension rule mid-tournament, calling it a "disgrace" and accusing FIFA and Infantino of yielding to political pressure from the Trump administration.
- The lawmakers have petitioned EU national football associations to urge the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate potential political interference in the decision and other actions such as awarding Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.
- FIFA stated that the suspension lift was made by a disciplinary committee, but lawmakers argue that political influence undermines the impartiality and fairness essential to sports.
- So far, 35 members of the European Parliament have signed the letter condemning the decision and calling for an investigation into FIFA's adherence to political neutrality.
