EU lawmakers call for probe of FIFA boss over Trump contact before U.S.-Belgium match

Dozens of European lawmakers have announced support for launching an investigation in the European Parliament of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino over his involvement in the decision to permit U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to play despite receiving a red card in his last World Cup match.

President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Balogun was shown a red card during the U.S. victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, which normally would make him ineligible to play in the team’s next game, but FIFA lifted his suspension for a match on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with Infantino on behalf of the 25-year-old striker.

European Parliament lawmakers Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang said in a joint statement that FIFAs decision to “change the rule on red card suspensions mid-tournament is a disgrace and a perversion of justice.”

“Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration,” the statement said.

Andrews added that last two times red cards were withdrawn during a World Cup were in 1938 and 1978, when dictators Benito Mussolini of Italy and General Jorge Rafael Videla of Argentina complained to FIFA.

The lawmakers are asking the national football associations of the EU countries to spur the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino and whether pressure from the Trump administration was a factor in the lifting of the suspension, as well as “other potential breaches of political neutrality” like awarding Trump the FIFA Peace Prize.

The withdrawal of Balogun’s red card did not help the U.S. Monday night as they were thrashed by Belgium 4-1.