As reported by GIVEMESPORT, European Parliament lawmakers are seeking an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino following allegations that former US President Donald Trump influenced a controversial disciplinary decision during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The controversy centres on USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, whose red card suspension was lifted in a highly unusual move that allowed him to feature in the United States’ Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

Balogun suspension sparks controversy

Balogun was sent off during the United States’ Last 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a dismissal that would ordinarily have resulted in a one-match suspension. However, FIFA ruled that the ban would instead be suspended for one year, making the Arsenal academy graduate available for the knockout fixture against Belgium, which the US lost 4-1.

According to ESPN, Donald Trump later claimed he personally contacted FIFA three times regarding the incident.

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“All I did was I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said. “I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled.”

Trump also insisted that Gianni Infantino was not solely responsible for the decision, claiming it was ultimately made by a FIFA committee.

European Parliament calls for FIFA inquiry

According to GIVEMESPORT, Members of the European Parliament Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang are now pushing for a formal investigation into Infantino’s conduct.

The lawmakers are calling on national football associations across the European Union to ask FIFA’s Ethics Committee to examine whether political pressure from the Trump administration played a role in overturning Balogun’s suspension. Their letter has already received the backing of 35 fellow MEPs.

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In a joint statement, the lawmakers strongly criticised FIFA’s actions.

“To change the rule on red card suspensions mid-tournament is a disgrace and a perversion of justice.”

They added:

“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.”

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Wider scrutiny of Infantino

The proposed investigation extends beyond the Balogun case. Lawmakers also intend to examine what they describe as “other potential breaches of political neutrality,” including FIFA’s decision to award Donald Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.

The move comes amid longstanding criticism that Infantino has cultivated an unusually close relationship with the former US president. FIFA has previously cited political interference as grounds for suspending national football associations, making the latest allegations particularly significant if formally investigated.

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