FIFA’s chief critic in the European Parliament told POLITICO that the decision to lift the suspension of the United States’ top player was the latest example of an “unbroken pattern” of opaque governance at world soccer’s governing body.
Last week, MEP from Ireland Barry Andrewshe wrote a letterasking FIFA to investigate its president, Gianni Infantino, over four public statements he made in support of US President Donald Trump last year, which allegedly undermined the body’s political neutrality.
On Monday, after FIFA removed the ban of American striker Folarin Balogun following aphone call from Trumpfor Infantino, POLITICO sat down with Andrews to discuss how the administration’s latest decision adds strength to his criticism.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Andrews’ latest reprimand, but Infantino did made a statement Monday denying allegations that he influenced the decision to lift Balogun’s suspension.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How did you react the first time you heard the news that Trump was involved in the Balogun case?
It proves, in my opinion, that FIFA is a very corrupt organization. Unfortunately, there are decades of examples of how FIFA has ruined sports at the highest level. It’s just one more chapter in that list, unfortunately, and we need to find ways to try to put pressure on FIFA to reverse this decision.
MEP Petras Auštrevičiushe told POLITICOFriday that FIFA is “no longer a neutral sports organization.” Do you agree?
Is it really not a lawless organization? The decisions regarding the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar and Russia have been proven to be the subject of massive bribery by FIFA executive committee officials as well as confederations around the world. So, unfortunately, what we see with the recent example of Infantino only confirms that this is a pattern that has not been broken for decades. When Sepp Blatter was (president of FIFA), he had no restrictions in his politics of the role, but Infantino, if possible, is worse.
Blatter saidthis morning that “football should never be the playground of political power.”
If Blatter thinks it’s corrupt, we’re dealing with massive levels of misconduct.
Do you think the European answer should be here?
There are many people who say “politics and sports don’t mix,” but we are dealing with an organization that has a lot of power. Therefore, we should make a very clear statement about it. There is a limit to what we can do, but I think we should be very clear in condemning what has happened in this situation since Sunday.
Will you be watching the US-Belgium game tonight?
I will be watching it. I’m disappointed with everything about how the United States (conducted the World Cup). It’s not the fault of the American players, but you can’t help it. You can’t imagine what would happen if the US won the tournament.
