European MEPs Demand Investigation into Infantino Over "Repeated Breaches" of Political Neutrality

Pressure is mounting on Gianni Infantino following the controversial decision to overturn the one-match ban for USA striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. Over 70 European Members of Parliament (MEPs) have called for an investigation into FIFA and its president regarding the principle of political neutrality.

Balogun received a red card in the USA's Round of 16 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should have seen him miss the subsequent fixture against Belgium. However, FIFA's independent disciplinary committee rescinded the ban, and the 25-year-old forward subsequently started in the 4-1 loss.

Prior to the match, Belgium appealed the decision, but it was rejected by FIFA, world football's governing body.

US President Donald Trump confirmed he had spoken with Infantino, with whom he maintains a close relationship, and requested a review of the punishment, describing the red card as a "huge injustice."

Infantino later defended his role in the decision, stating: "FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They act autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them."

"During our conversation (with President Trump), I explained that there is an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies, and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent authorities. This is how the FIFA system works, and it is a principle I will always uphold," he added.

On Wednesday, 72 Members of the European Parliament (one of the European Union's legislative bodies) sent a letter to the 27 heads of EU football associations, urging an investigation into the decision-making process surrounding the Balogun case.

This follows a letter sent on June 29 by 50 MEPs to FIFA, requesting an ethical complaint be considered regarding Infantino's awarding of the first FIFA Peace Award to President Trump in December 2025, citing "repeated breaches" of FIFA's obligation for political neutrality by Infantino.

"In light of Sunday's decision to overturn the automatic one-match ban, we believe it is time for European football associations, all of whom are FIFA members, to intervene and demand that FIFA investigate the aforementioned decision-making processes," the letter stated.

"FIFA's statutory rules and ethical code provide a very clear basis for member associations to intervene and demand an investigation. The requirement for political neutrality is clearly outlined in both the FIFA Statutes and the Code of Ethics. Article 4(2) of the FIFA Statutes outlines the principle that 'FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion,' and Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics states that all football officials must remain politically neutral, and provides for strict sanctions for violations."

"Member associations have an important role in ensuring that rules are followed and that those who break them are held accountable. In this regard, we urge you to add your voice to recent calls in support of an investigation into Gianni Infantino's ties to President Trump by MEPs and the Norwegian Football Federation. Any investigation must now include a review of the decision-making process surrounding FIFA's decision to overturn the ban imposed on a member of the US men's national team."

FairSquare, a non-profit organization focusing on sports, human rights, and political repression issues, also announced on Wednesday that it would "file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding repeated breaches of political neutrality rules by FIFA President Gianni Infantino."

On Monday, UEFA, European football's governing body, released a statement criticizing the overturning of the ban, calling it "incomprehensible" and stating it "crossed a red line."