Gianni Infantino targeted by 72 EU lawmakers demanding investigation into FIFA World Cup 2026 controversy
The controversy stems from FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun suspension.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under mounting pressure after 72 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) demanded a formal investigation into the governing body’s handling of Folarin Balogun’s suspension in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.
The bone of contention stems from the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend the automatic one-match ban handed to Balogun for receiving a straight red card in the Round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The decision attracted widespread condemnation, which increased when details were revealed about Donald Trump personally calling Infantino and urging him to review the red card decision. The details were confirmed by Trump himself at a press conference.
Also Read: European Parliament calls for investigation into President Gianni Infantino
European lawmakers push for FIFA investigation
Now, 72 MEPs have written to the heads of the football associations of all 27 EU nations and urged them to demand that FIFA investigate the incident.
“In light of the decision taken on Sunday to suspend the implementation of an automatic one-match suspension, we feel that it is time for European Football Associations, all of whom are member associations of FIFA, to intervene and ask that FIFA investigate the aforementioned decision-making processes,” the MEPs wrote.
“FIFA’s statutory rules and code of ethics provide a very clear basis for member associations to intervene and demand an investigation.”
The lawmakers argued that by suspending Balogun’s ban after a call from Trump – something Infantino himself denied having any effect on the decision – FIFA may have breached its commitment to political neutrality. This neutrality is enshrined in both Article 4(2) of the FIFA Statutes and Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
Several MEPs, as well as the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), have already called for an inquiry into FIFA’s conduct. NFF president Lise Klaveness earlier asked the global body to rescind the Peace Prize awarded to Trump.
Even UEFA condemned the decision to overturn Balogun’s ban, adding that “the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.”
“Equally, such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition,” the statement read. “We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”
Both Infantino and the Chairperson of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee released statements defending the decision. Balogun eventually played in the USA’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Belgium, although he could not prevent the Stars and Stripes from losing 4-1.
Why is the European Parliament seeking an investigation into Gianni Infantino?
A group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) wants FIFA’s Ethics Committee to investigate whether political pressure influenced the decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s suspension during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Why was Folarin Balogun’s suspension controversial?
Folarin Balogun received a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which carried an automatic one-match ban. FIFA later suspended the ban, allowing him to play against Belgium in the Round of 16.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.