FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing pressure from EU lawmakers following Donald Trump’s interference in Folarin Balogun’s suspension U-turn.
It is the story that rocked the world over the weekend as the President of the United States of America intervened to ask FIFA to make Balogun eligible to face Belgium on Monday.
The reality is Balogun’s availability did not have any impact on the game, with Mauricio Pochettino’s team put to the sword by Belgium in Seattle.
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However, the manipulation of the FIFA regulations has left a sour taste in the mouth for many across the globe.
Trump thanked FIFA for reversing Balogun’s suspension, with the president’s public comments on the matter not helping the USMNT’s cause.
Days on from the game, EU lawmakers are hitting back at Infantino for allowing this to all unfold.
EU lawmakers left furious with Gianni Infantino’s Folarin Balogun U-turn
The debacle has received a lot of criticism, with Stephen A Smith even hitting out at Trump for getting involved.
A report from ESPN has claimed EU lawmakers are looking to launch an investigation into Infantino’s involvement in the Balogun suspension reversal.
“Once again, we’ve seen Infantino and FIFA surrender to the demands of the Trump administration,” the statement said.
“The beauty of sport is that it is based on impartial and transparent rules. When Infantino allows political pressure to determine who gets to play, this sense of fairness goes out the window.”
The letter has now been signed by 35 colleagues of the lawmakers as traction continues to grow on making Infantino answer for his actions.
Infantino congratulated Belgium for beating the USMNT, but it is clear that is not going to be enough to get him off the hook with those in Europe.
The events that unfolded over the weekend are viewed as a major threat to the morality of the game of soccer.
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