FIFA’s Infantino says he told Trump the Balogun case would be decided by independent judicial bodies
FIFA says its independent disciplinary bodies, not political pressure, decided Folarin Balogun’s eligibility after his red card drew widespread criticism.
- On Sunday, FIFA's disciplinary committee suspended the red card punishment for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun after President Donald Trump intervened with FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the 25-year-old's July 1 ejection.
- European Parliament lawmakers and human rights group FairSquare are gathering support for an investigation, alleging the intervention constitutes a "perversion of justice" and breaches FIFA's political neutrality rules.
- Fifty members of the European Parliament wrote to the FIFA Ethics Committee backing complaints about Infantino's alignment with Trump, including the award of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to the U.S. President.
- FairSquare director Nicholas McGeehan called the incident a "fatal misstep," comparing it to the 2015 scandal that forced the resignation of Infantino's predecessor, Sepp Blatter.
- While Infantino denied personal involvement and insisted the disciplinary committee acted independently, lawmakers continue pressing national football associations to demand a formal inquiry into whether political pressure influenced the suspension.
328 Articles
328 Articles
European Parliament members call for a probe of FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his Trump call before the decision to let Balogun play
“Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration," a statement from the lawmakers read.
The striker was allowed to play against Belgium, after being expelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The world football governing body comes out to specify why the sanction was lifted.
European Parliament to ask for probe into FIFA boss Infantino
A letter circulating in the European Parliament calls for an investigation into whether pressure from the US administration influenced FIFA's decision to reverse American striker Folarin Balogun's red card suspension. Belgium went on to rout Team USA 4-1 in a resounding victory.
About thirty European parliamentarians ask the Football Federations to deepen the role of the President of Fifa in the suspension of the disqualification of the US attacker
The international press agrees: Donald Trump has damaged a great tournament due to his interference in the lockdown of US player Folarin Balogun. Especially in focus: Fifa boss Infantino.
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