Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:06am on 09 Jul 2026,Thursday Sports
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing renewed criticism after reports that US President Donald Trump called him to seek a review of American striker Folarin Balogun's suspension during the FIFA World Cup. The episode has sparked allegations that FIFA's principle of political neutrality may have been compromised. Human rights group FairSquare is preparing to file a complaint with the International Olympic Committee, while several European lawmakers have also demanded an independent investigation. Infantino has denied influencing FIFA's disciplinary process, insisting that the body's judicial panels operate independently despite growing concerns over political interference in football. (PC: NDTV)
