The petition was initiated by a group of European Parliament (EP) lawmakers on 7/7, a day after the US team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16, following a 1-4 defeat to Belgium. US striker Folarin Balogun was still allowed to play despite receiving a red card in the previous match, thanks to FIFA's decision to overturn his suspension.

In an internal EP lobbying letter sent to 27 football federations within the European Union (EU), including Belgium, the group of lawmakers urged the federations to collectively request that FIFA investigate the actions leading to the decision to overturn Balogun's suspension, as well as the role of President Gianni Infantino.

"We believe it is time for European football federations, as members of FIFA, to intervene and demand that FIFA investigate the decision-making process in this matter," the letter stated.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) presented the FIFA Peace Award to US President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington on 5/12/2025. Photo: AP

The letter was initiated by lawmakers Barry Andrews from the Renew Europe political group, and Lara Wolters and Niels Fuglsang from the Socialists and Democrats group. It is currently collecting signatures until 6 PM today (11 PM Hanoi time).

The signatories also urged European football federations to ensure that senior FIFA officials are held accountable if evidence shows they violated political neutrality regulations.

The letter also referenced another open letter signed by 50 European lawmakers, previously sent to FIFA, requesting an investigation into the awarding of the FIFA Peace Award to US President Donald Trump.

Lawmaker Andrews stated that FIFA and Mr. Infantino "succumbed to the demands of the Trump administration." He called FIFA's decision "shameful and a perversion of justice."

President Trump admitted on 5/7 that he made three phone calls to Mr. Infantino after Balogun received a red card in the round of 32. "I didn't know what a red card in football meant until I found out the player would be suspended," Mr. Trump said.

He argued that the decision to disqualify Balogun was unfair and asked FIFA to review the referee's decision, but affirmed he did not directly demand that the organization take any specific action.

Mr. Trump spoke about asking FIFA to review Balogun's red card while answering reporters in the Oval Office on 6/7. Video: Fox News

Following that call, FIFA decided to suspend the application of Balogun's ban through a legal mechanism never used at the World Cup since the red card rule was implemented.

UEFA called this development "unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable," while the Belgian Football Federation also lodged a complaint regarding Balogun's eligibility to play. However, FIFA rejected this complaint.

European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef called the decision to overturn Balogun's suspension a "wrong decision." Former UEFA communications and external relations director William Gaillard described the move as "completely contrary to FIFA's rules and regulations" and labeled it a "scandal."

Thanh Danh (According to Euronews)