European MPs petition FIFA over Balogun red-card reversal, cite Trump pressure

Three MEPs from Renew Europe and the Socialist and Democratic group have launched a parliamentary initiative demanding FIFA investigate its decision to lift Folarin Balogun's World Cup red-card suspension—the first such reversal in modern tournament history. Thirty-five colleagues joined the petition. The MEPs assert FIFA capitulated to Trump administration demands, though no evidence of direct US involvement has emerged. UEFA called the reversal "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." The petition carries no binding force over FIFA, but signals potential leverage through national football federations under parliamentary pressure.