EU lawmakers demand investigation into Gianni Infantino after Folarin Balogun red card scandal
Over 70 European lawmakers have called for an investigation into FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino regarding the principle of political neutrality.
Infantino has faced huge backlash in recent days, following the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card ban ahead of the USA’s round of 16 World Cup exit to Belgium.
US striker Balogun had been due to sit out his side’s knockout clash, after he was shown a straight red card in their win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous round.
But he was given a reprieve after the US president Donald Trump called FIFA chief Infantino asking for the sending-off to be reviewed.
Balogun subsequently had his one-match ban suspended for 12 months – sparking widespread uproar, not least once it became clear Trump himself had lobbied FIFA.
The president confirmed that he had called Infantino – with whom he shares a close relationship – asking for the ban to be reviewed, describing the red card as a ‘great injustice’.
Before the match, Belgium appealed the decision but it was rejected by FIFA, although this ultimately had little impact on the game itself.
Co-hosts USA were dumped out of the World Cup as they were hammered 4-1 by the Red Devils, but the backlash has rumbled on.
Infantino denies political interference
In the wake of huge criticism, Infantino defended his role in the decision to grant Balogun a reprieve, where he denied political interference in the decision.
He said: “FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.
“During our conversation (with President Trump), I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies.
“That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.”
MEPs release strongly-worded letter
On Wednesday, 72 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) wrote to the 27 heads of EU football associations, calling for an investigation into the decision-making process in the Balogun case.
This is second time in recent weeks that MEPs have called for action regarding FIFA.
On June 29, a 50-strong group of MEPs wrote to football’s governing body demanding that it addresses an ethics complaint over Infantino awarding the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize to President Trump in December.
They also alleged ‘repeated breaches’ of FIFA’s duty of political neutrality by Infantino.
Their latest letter read: “In light of the decision taken on Sunday to suspend the implementation of an automatic one-match suspension, we feel that it is time for European Football Associations, all of whom are member associations of FIFA, to intervene and ask that FIFA investigate the aforementioned decision-making processes.
“FIFA’s statutory rules and code of ethics provide a very clear basis for member associations to intervene and demand an investigation.
“The requirement of political neutrality is clearly outlined in both the FIFA Statutes and the Code of Ethics.
“Article 4(2) of the FIFA Statutes outlines the principle whereby ‘FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion’, and Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics states that all football officials must remain politically neutral, and provides for strong sanctions for violations.
“Member associations have an important role to play in ensuring that rules are upheld and that those who break them are held accountable.
“In that regard, we urge you to add your voice to recent calls in support of an investigation into Gianni Infantino’s links to President Trump from MEPs and from the Norwegian Football Federation.
“Any investigation must now include scrutiny of the decision-making process surrounding FIFA’s decision to rescind the ban imposed on a member of the US men’s national team.”
As well as MEPs demanding action, FairSquare, a non-profit organisation focusing on sport and human rights, has vowed to file a complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding Infantino over repeated breach of political neutrality rules.
FIFA condemned
European football’s governing body, UEFA, were among those to vocally criticise FIFA’s ‘unprecedented’ move to suspend Balogun’s ban.
Their statement read: “When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.
“Equally, such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.
“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”
Meanwhile, talkSPORT host Jeff Stelling called on Infantino to resign immediately, insisting the decision raises eyebrows over corruption.
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