09.07.2026 21:20
While the repercussions of FIFA allowing US footballer Folarin Balogun to play in the match against Belgium by postponing his red card suspension continue, the European Parliament has called for an investigation to be launched against FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The postponement of the red card penalty given to US footballer Folarin Balogun at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by FIFA has sparked a major debate in the football world.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ALSO INVOLVED
This decision, taken after US President Donald Trump intervened, drew a strong reaction from the European Parliament (EP). MEPs called for a formal and independent investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
FOCUS OF THE DEBATE: TRUMP'S PHONE CALL AND THE POSTPONED PENALTY
The incident began on July 1 during a World Cup match between the USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 25-year-old forward Folarin Balogun, who received a red card in the match, was supposed to be ineligible to play in the round of 32 match against Belgium as per the rules. However, after US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on behalf of the player, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announced before Monday's critical match that Balogun's penalty had been postponed and he was allowed to play.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: "THIS IS A SCANDAL"
According to a report by ESPN, members of the European Parliament want the process to be transparently scrutinized. MEPs Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang issued a joint statement sharply criticizing FIFA. The MEPs described the bending of red card rules in the middle of the tournament as "a scandal and a distortion of justice," stating, "Once again, we have seen Infantino and FIFA bow to the demands of the Trump administration."
EP members called on the national football federations of European Union countries to demand that FIFA's Ethics Committee take action. The investigation should look into the role of Trump's pressure in the penalty postponement, as well as other allegations of "violation of political neutrality," such as awarding Trump the "FIFA Peace Award."
INFANTINO: "THE DECISION WAS COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT AND AUTONOMOUS"
Defending himself after the criticism, FIFA President Gianni Infantino claimed that the decision was made entirely within the framework of legal processes. Infantino said, "FIFA's judicial bodies are independent and autonomous. They apply the rules and the concrete facts before them. This independence is essential for the credibility of football."
Confirming that he spoke with Donald Trump, Infantino defended himself by saying, "Yes, I regularly discuss World Cup matters with the US President, just as I do with other heads of state or business figures around the world. However, I communicated to him that this process is being carried out by independent committees."
TRUMP: "I JUST ASKED FOR A REVIEW, I DIDN'T EXERT PRESSURE"
Commenting on the matter, US President Donald Trump argued that the incident did not warrant a red card. Stating that he understands football well, Trump said, "The position wasn't even a foul; it was just two running players colliding. I later learned that a player who receives a red card cannot play in the next match, and I thought that was unfair. In my conversation with Infantino, I only expressed my feelings; I did not dictate to him what to do. The decision was made by the committee, not him, and I think they did the right thing."