European Lawmakers Seek Probe of FIFA President Over Trump-Linked Red-Card Ruling

European Parliament members are urging the FIFA Ethics Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to examine whether political pressure influenced FIFA’s decision to lift a red-card suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. The request follows a joint statement by lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang, signed by 35 colleagues, calling the mid-tournament rule change “a disgrace and a perversion of justice.”

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Balogun received a red card during the United States’ 2–0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, 2024. Under standard FIFA regulations, the sanction would have barred him from the next match. President Donald Trump reportedly contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Balogun’s behalf, after which a disciplinary committee lifted the suspension for the United States’ subsequent game on July 3.

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The European Parliament group argues that Infantino’s action may breach FIFA’s political-neutrality obligations and cites the awarding of the “FIFA Peace Prize” to Trump as another potential violation. They are also urging national football associations within the EU to press FIFA for a formal investigation.

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IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the organization has not yet received a formal complaint but is monitoring the situation. “Obviously if they do they would look into it,” Coventry told reporters during an online news conference. Earlier, she affirmed the IOC’s awareness: “Yes, we have been obviously watching everything play out.” The IOC’s Ethics Commission has jurisdiction over Infantino, who joined its invited-member group in 2020.

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• “Once again, we've seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration,” — Barry Andrews, European Parliament lawmaker

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• “The beauty of sport is that it is based on impartial and transparent rules. When Infantino allows political pressure to determine who gets to play, this sense of fairness goes out the window,” — Lara Wolters, European Parliament lawmaker

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• “Obviously if they do they would look into it,” — Kirsty Coventry, IOC President

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• “Yes, we have been obviously watching everything play out,” — Kirsty Coventry, IOC President

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