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Seventy-two Members of the European Parliament demand an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino after he allegedly intervenes to overturn Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension during the World Cup. The lawmakers accuse FIFA of yielding to political pressure and violating its own autonomy rules. They seek communications between the White House, U.S. Soccer, and FIFA during the decision window. FIFA defends the move as a unique sporting exception, while UEFA figures and European federations raise concerns over host-country favoritism and political interference in football governance.
Wednesday, 8 July, 2026