European Parliament Lawmakers Seek FIFA Probe Into Infantino

European Parliament is seeking an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino after a suspension was controversially lifted. moryak.biz

A group of European Parliament lawmakers are seeking an investigation into FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the decision to allow United States striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the previous round.

The lawmakers are urging the football associations of the 27 European Union member states to ask FIFA’s Ethics Committee to examine whether political pressure influenced the decision to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban.

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Balogun was sent off during the United States’ round-of-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1.

FIFA later suspended the implementation of his automatic ban, allowing Balogun to play in the last-16 match against Belgium.

The decision came after U.S. President Donald Trump contacted Infantino over the incident. Trump later thanked FIFA for what he called the “reversal of an injustice.”

MEPs Barry Andrews, Lara Wolters, and Niels Fuglsang initiated the letter, which is circulating among European Parliament members. The lawmakers said FIFA should examine the decision-making process and whether any senior officials breached rules on political neutrality.

FIFA has said the decision was made by its disciplinary committee. Infantino has said he told Trump during their call that FIFA’s disciplinary body was independent.

UEFA criticised the decision, calling it “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.” The Belgian Football Federation also challenged Balogun’s eligibility.

This adds to the growing criticism, following Egypt’s defeat to Argentina, over FIFA’s handling of the competition.

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Doha, Qatar: Four years after their dream run in Qatar was ended by France in the World Cup semi-finals, Morocco return to familiar territory with a different status and a bigger belief.

The Atlas Lions left the 2022 tournament as the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, winning admiration across the globe despite falling short of a place in the final. They were the surprise package then. Today, they arrive as a team that has earned its place among football’s elite.

When Morocco face France in a highly anticipated quarter-final at Boston Stadium today, with kick-off at 11pm Qatar time, the contest will not be about an underdog chasing another fairytale. It will be a battle between two established contenders fighting for a place in the last four.

France remain favourites but Morocco have already proved they can compete with the best.

Didier Deschamps’ side have maintained the standards expected of a title contender throughout the tournament. Les Bleus swept through Group I with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway before easing past Sweden in the Round of 32. Their narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in the last 16 showed another dimension to the French team as they displayed patience and resilience when their attacking quality alone was not enough.

Morocco’s journey has required greater character as they began with a creditable draw against Brazil before defeating Scotland and Haiti to secure second place in Group C. The Atlas Lions then survived a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands after Issa Diop’s late equaliser forced extra time, before producing one of their strongest performances of the tournament in a convincing 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada to reach a second successive World Cup quarter-final.

“We’re no longer a surprise today, and that’s a great source of pride,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the victory over Canada.

“I think this is only the beginning and I hope we’ll keep producing this kind of run for many years.”

Ouahbi has also played down suggestions that revenge is motivating his team following their semi-final defeat to France in Qatar.

“We want to go as far as possible and make our people proud,” he said.

France, meanwhile, continue to rely heavily on the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe. The captain has scored seven goals in the tournament, placed among the leading contenders in the Golden Boot race, while his penalty against Paraguay took his World Cup tally to 19, leaving him just two behind Lionel Messi’s record of 21. With Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, creative playmaker Michael Olise and a wealth of attacking options around him, Mbappe leads one of the most dangerous forward lines in the competition.

Morocco, however, have the defensive structure and discipline to challenge any opponent.

France’s players take part in a training session.

Yassine Bounou has once again produced impressive performances on the biggest stage, while Achraf Hakimi remains one of the tournament’s standout right-backs.

Azzedine Ounahi rediscovered his scoring touch with two goals against Canada, although striker Ismael Saibari remains a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the previous round.

The meeting between Hakimi and Mbappe will be one of the key battles in Boston.

The two players developed a close friendship during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain, but that relationship will be put aside when they meet on opposite sides with a World Cup semi-final place at stake.

Deschamps expects Morocco to provide a far tougher test than France have faced so far.

“Morocco are one of the best teams,” the France coach said. “We played them four years ago in Doha and they also got to the Africa Cup of Nations final.”

France will also have disciplinary concerns, with Bradley Barcola, Manu Kone and Olise all one booking away from missing a potential semi-final.

History is on Les Bleus’ side, with France winning two of the previous three meetings between the nations, including their memorable 2-0 victory in the Qatar 2022 semi-finals. The other match ended in a 2-2 draw.

But Morocco no longer arrive looking for recognition, and standing in their way is a France side chasing a third consecutive World Cup final appearance.

The prize is a place in Dallas, where either Spain or Belgium will await in the semi-finals.

Federal prosecutors and FBI agents have begun taking testimony on the Argentine Football Association’s operations in the United States.

U.S. federal prosecutors and FBI agents have begun taking testimony about the Argentine Football Association’s financial operations in the United States, according to reports.

Investigators are seeking to reconstruct how the AFA, headed by Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, moved hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. banking system.

So far, the inquiry is focused on whether transactions linked to the AFA could fall under U.S. jurisdiction as potential money laundering or bank fraud.

One witness was businessman Guillermo Tofoni, who previously denounced Tapia and the Argentina FA treasurer Pablo Toviggino for alleged fraud. Tofoni was interviewed last week by video conference for about three hours by prosecutors and FBI agents based in Washington, D.C. and Miami.

The inquiry centres in part on TourProdEnter LLC, a U.S.-registered company linked to producer Javier Faroni and Erica Gillette that handled the collection of AFA revenues.

The funds reportedly included payments from international commercial partners, including $60 million from Adidas and $40 million from Warner.

The measures taken so far do not amount to indictments or a formal criminal case. Investigators are in a preliminary stage aimed at mapping the financial circuit and identifying the actors involved.

AFA representatives have rejected any assumption of guilt. The association’s representative for the United States and North America said investigative steps alone “do not determine responsibility or guilt.”

Tapia has led the AFA since 2017. He has also faced legal scrutiny in Argentina over alleged improper withholding of tax and social security contributions.

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