The Spanish newspaper Marca revealed that 55 deputies in the European Parliament demanded the opening of an investigation regarding the decision to postpone the suspension of the American Folarin Balogun, which allowed him to participate in his country's match against Belgium in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
The newspaper mentioned that 55 members of the European Parliament addressed a letter to the heads of the national football federations in the member states of the European Union, demanding that they pressure the International Football Association (FIFA) to open an investigation into the circumstances of the decision to postpone Folarin Balogun's suspension.
The newspaper added that the deputies demanded an investigation into whether FIFA President Gianni Infantino played a role in the decision, in addition to examining whether there were American pressures that influenced allowing the player to participate against Belgium in the round of 16.
The deputies affirmed, according to Marca, that FIFA regulations and the code of ethics grant national federations the right to demand an investigation when there are suspicions regarding the mechanism of decision-making within the international federation.
The letter indicated that FIFA imposes on its officials the commitment to political neutrality, considering that any external interference in sports decisions requires investigation and accountability, if violations are proven.
It explained that the initiative came with the support of a number of members of the European Parliament, led by the Dutch Lara Wolters, the Danish Niels Fuglsang, and the Irish Barry Andrews, before a group of deputies joined it, bringing the number of signatories to 55 deputies.
