FIFA president Infantino faces complaints over political neutrality after U.S. red-card decision
Human-rights group FairSquare and European lawmakers have lodged complaints alleging that FIFA president Gianni Infantino breached political neutrality rules in connection with the reversal of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under scrutiny after the suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun was lifted following a reported phone call from President Donald Trump. Human-rights organization FairSquare said it will file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee, accusing Infantino of repeatedly breaching FIFA’s political-neutrality rules. The group also noted a previous complaint filed with the FIFA Ethics Committee in December 2025 over Infantino’s public support for Trump’s policies and the awarding of a FIFA Peace Prize to the U.S. president.
At least 35 European parliamentarians have urged national football associations in EU member states to ask the FIFA Ethics Committee to investigate whether U.S. political pressure influenced the decision to overturn Balogun’s suspension and to examine other alleged neutrality breaches by Infantino.