FIFA president Gianni Infantino is in hot water after 72 European lawmakers called for an investigation into his actions. This follows the controversial choice to lift the ban on United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup after direct pressure from the White House.
The 72 members of the European Parliament have sent a letter to the leaders of the 27 European Union football associations. They are demanding an immediate probe into how Balogun avoided a red card suspension.
This call for action came after it was revealed that United States President Donald Trump personally reached out to Infantino to advocate for the player.
The lawmakers pointed out that European football associations, as members of FIFA, should take action and push for an investigation. They referred to FIFA’s rules and code of ethics as a strong reason for this demand.
FIFA's Neutrality Rules
The MEPs based their appeal on FIFA’s political neutrality rules. They mentioned Article 4(2) of the FIFA Statutes, which says FIFA must remain neutral in political and religious matters. They also cited Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which requires football officials to stay politically neutral and sets out penalties for breaking this rule. Additionally, they supported calls from the Norwegian Football Federation for a closer look at the decision-making around the Balogun case.
Infantino, on the other hand, is standing his ground. He claims that FIFA’s judicial bodies work independently and that he only explained existing rules to Trump without breaking them. He said FIFA’s judicial bodies work on their own and follow the Disciplinary Code based on the relevant regulations. During his chat with Trump, he clarified that a legal process was ongoing and that the case would be resolved by the right bodies in due time.
UEFA's Statement
UEFA has also joined the conversation, releasing a strong statement despite Belgium's four-one win over the United States. European football's governing body stated that if the rules cannot be trusted by those meant to uphold them, the integrity of the game is in danger. They added that the decision undermines the credibility of the competition, and it sets a troubling precedent that demands equal treatment for similar cases in the tournament. They expressed disbelief at what they called an unprecedented and unjustifiable decision.
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