EU Lawmakers Push Investigation Into Infantino Over Balogan Penalty
EU lawmakers are demanding an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the reduced ban on U.S. forward Florian Balogan, citing potential political pressure from the Trump administration and other governance concerns.
Multiple European Parliament members are calling for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the organization's decision to reduce the ban on U.S. forward Florian Balogan, along with other governance concerns. According to AP News, numerous EU lawmakers are supporting calls to investigate Infantino's handling of matters that emerged during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament has drawn significant attention to the case of Florian Balogan, a U.S. forward who received a red card in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia. However, FIFA suspended the ban and replaced it with only a one-year suspended sentence, allowing Balogan to play in the Round of 16 match against Belgium.
Soon after, U.S. President Donald Trump stated publicly that he had contacted Infantino to request FIFA review Balogan's penalty. Infantino acknowledged speaking with Trump but maintained that the decision rested with an independent committee.
Most recently, EU Parliament members Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang issued a statement on behalf of the broader group of EU lawmakers, attacking FIFA and declaring the penalty reduction shameful and a distortion of justice.
The statement also calls on national football associations across Europe to pressure FIFA's ethics committee to investigate Infantino and examine whether pressure from the Trump administration was a factor in the penalty reduction.
The statement further demands investigation into Infantino for other alleged violations of political neutrality, including FIFA awarding its Peace Prize to Trump. At least 35 EU lawmakers have now signed the letter in support.
