{"id":2042309,"date":"2026-07-14T09:24:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T06:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2042309"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T06:24:18","slug":"fact-check-european-parliament-did-not-call-for-fifa-probe-into-infantino","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2042309","title":{"rendered":"Fact check: European Parliament did not call for FIFA probe into Infantino"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/37\/78\/1200x675_cmsv2_018bb223-d263-5017-93a8-8713eb8ae7be-9833778.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2909721-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2909721\" data-cid=\"9837238\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909721-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/72\/38\/189x106_cmsv2_a6c6b2e0-ca84-58d5-b217-3df2c5ef1c42-9837238.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Revellers run alongside La Palmosilla&apos;s fighting bull during the sixth running of the bulls at the San Ferm\u00edn festival, 12 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Almost 60 gored or bruised during Spain&#8217;s San Ferm\u00edn bull runs\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909698-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2909698\" data-cid=\"9837202\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909698-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/93\/189x106_cmsv2_340cf564-3337-593b-972e-d7a11b2720bb-9837093.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Yamal during yesterday&apos;s press conference.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Sport<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Yamal answers Rajoy&#8217;s controversial column on France\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909691-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2909691\" data-cid=\"9837025\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909691-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/25\/189x106_cmsv2_139480ca-669d-5c17-9c59-714414c2b499-9837025.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Digger: Is this the movie that finally wins Tom Cruise his first competitive Oscar?\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Digger&#8217;: Will this film land Tom Cruise his first Oscar win?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909642-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2909642\" data-cid=\"9837173\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909642-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/71\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_ee2daf19-2370-5e4d-87c0-3ab888c87240-9837173.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Canadair water bomber drops water while fighting wildfires in the Fontainebleau forest region, 13 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fontainebleau fire still burning as 850 firefighters tackle blaze\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909721-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2909721\" data-cid=\"9837238\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909721-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/72\/38\/189x106_cmsv2_a6c6b2e0-ca84-58d5-b217-3df2c5ef1c42-9837238.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Revellers run alongside La Palmosilla&apos;s fighting bull during the sixth running of the bulls at the San Ferm\u00edn festival, 12 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Almost 60 gored or bruised during Spain&#8217;s San Ferm\u00edn bull runs\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909698-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2909698\" data-cid=\"9837202\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909698-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/93\/189x106_cmsv2_340cf564-3337-593b-972e-d7a11b2720bb-9837093.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Yamal during yesterday&apos;s press conference.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Sport<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Yamal answers Rajoy&#8217;s controversial column on France\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909691-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2909691\" data-cid=\"9837025\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909691-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/25\/189x106_cmsv2_139480ca-669d-5c17-9c59-714414c2b499-9837025.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Digger: Is this the movie that finally wins Tom Cruise his first competitive Oscar?\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Digger&#8217;: Will this film land Tom Cruise his first Oscar win?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909642-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2909642\" data-cid=\"9837173\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909642-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/71\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_ee2daf19-2370-5e4d-87c0-3ab888c87240-9837173.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Canadair water bomber drops water while fighting wildfires in the Fontainebleau forest region, 13 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fontainebleau fire still burning as 850 firefighters tackle blaze\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Decoded<\/p>\n<p>                          The Cube<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Fact check: European Parliament did not call for FIFA probe into Infantino<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/37\/78\/1536x864_cmsv2_018bb223-d263-5017-93a8-8713eb8ae7be-9833778.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a news conference at the stadium in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a news conference at the stadium in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 10, 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspTamsin Paternoster&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspEstelle Nilsson-Julien\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1784021058\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-07-14 11:24:18 +02:00\">14\/07\/2026 &#8211; 11:24 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"11:25\">11:25<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div 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height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Viral posts falsely claim that the European Parliament called for an investigation into FIFA&#8217;s President Gianni Infantino.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>&#8220;The European Parliament has called for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino,&#8221; reads a post on X that has been viewed more than 6 million times. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, this claim is misleading. While 72 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have signed a letter calling for FIFA&#8217;s Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino, the European Parliament itself has not officially adopted that position. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>What happened?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The controversy stems from FIFA&#8217;s decision to suspend an automatic one-match suspension for the US football team\u2019s striker, Folarin Balogun, after he was sent off during the US&#8217;s round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/37\/78\/808x454_cmsv2_d8a7b0a2-2ce1-5a60-b888-da135dc7d064-9833778.jpg\" alt=\"Post claims that the &apos;European Parliament has called for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding his management.&apos; \"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Post claims that the &#8216;European Parliament has called for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding his management.&#8217; <\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">@theMadridZone<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged asking FIFA to review the case, telling reporters, &#8220;All I did was ask for a review because I didn&#8217;t think it was a foul.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>The decision prompted uproar from Belgian fans as well as football coaches, with the Belgian Football Association calling it &#8220;astonishing&#8221; and requesting an explanation from FIFA. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>What does the letter say?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The letter, dated 8 July and signed by 72 MEPs, is addressed to the presidents of the 27 national football associations in EU member states. <\/p>\n<p>Rather than asking the European Parliament to investigate, it urges the football associations to ask FIFA&#8217;s independent Ethics Committee to examine whether political pressure influenced the disciplinary process and whether Infantino complied with FIFA&#8217;s rules on political neutrality. <\/p>\n<p>The lawmakers, in a letter seen by Euronews, argue that FIFA&#8217;s own statutes and Code of Ethics require political neutrality and that member associations have a responsibility to ensure senior FIFA officials are held accountable if those rules are breached. <\/p>\n<p>The lawmakers stress that their concerns are not about Balogun himself, writing that they are &#8220;not motivated by any desire to see any individual football player sanctioned&#8221; but instead want to &#8220;ensure that rules are applied in a way to protect the integrity of the game.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, and unlike what the viral claim suggests, the letter is not the official position of the European Parliament, but an initiative by individual MEPs. <\/p>\n<p>It does not represent the official stance of the European Parliament itself, which has not adopted a resolution calling for an investigation, nor has it voted to endorse the letter. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>FIFA&#8217;s response<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Neither FIFA nor Infantino have publicly responded to the letter. <\/p>\n<p>Both previously rejected suggestions that Balogun&#8217;s case was influenced by political considerations, with FIFA saying the decision to lift the suspension was made by its independent disciplinary committee. <\/p>\n<p>Infantino confirmed that the call with Trump took place, but said he explained to the US president that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA&#8217;s judicial bodies and that the &#8220;case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies,&#8221; which he argued were independent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  World Cup sparks wave of racist misinformation online <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Fact check: European Parliament did not call for FIFA probe into Infantino<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  No, the EU is not about to censor access to the internet<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Gianni Infantino<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  TheCube<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  World Cup 2026<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2909697-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909697\" data-cid=\"9837092\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909697-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/92\/320x180_cmsv2_f5ac6d74-3051-55a2-8a3f-858a56fe8584-9837092.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, 18 June, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine&#8217;s EU accession path becomes clearer as Cluster 6 opens<br \/>\n  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&#8216;threat&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2909666-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909666\" data-cid=\"9837012\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909666-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/12\/320x180_cmsv2_0d82d920-c87f-5f18-8d7e-5f3d3e843d89-9837012.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"French soldiers march during the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, 14 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Macron hosts his final Bastille Day parade with focus on Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div 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u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909697-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909697\" data-cid=\"9837092\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909697-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/92\/320x180_cmsv2_f5ac6d74-3051-55a2-8a3f-858a56fe8584-9837092.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine&apos;s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission 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France.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Marco Rubio launches sweeping campaign to &#8216;dismantle&#8217; ICC &#8216;threat&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909666-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909666\" data-cid=\"9837012\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2909666-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/70\/12\/320x180_cmsv2_0d82d920-c87f-5f18-8d7e-5f3d3e843d89-9837012.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"French soldiers march during the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, 14 July, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  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data-nid=\"2909429\" data-cid=\"9835872\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France shuts down nuclear reactors as heatwave intensifies<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909183-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909183\" data-cid=\"9834935\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran launches major attacks on Gulf states as chaos reigns over Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2909412-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2909412\" data-cid=\"9835710\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 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class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">&#8220;The European Parliament has called for an investigation into FIFA President Gianni Infantino,&#8221; reads a post on X that has been viewed more than 6 million times.\u00a0However, this claim is misleading. While 72 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have signed a letter calling for FIFA&#8217;s Ethics Committee to investigate Infantino, the European Parliament itself has not officially adopted that position.\u00a0What happened?\u00a0The controversy stems from FIFA&#8217;s decision to suspend an automatic one-match suspension for the US football team\u2019s striker, Folarin Balogun, after he was sent off during the US&#8217;s round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.\u00a0US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged asking FIFA to review the case, telling reporters, &#8220;All I did was ask for a review because I didn&#8217;t think it was a foul.&#8221;\u00a0The decision prompted uproar from Belgian fans as well as football coaches, with the Belgian Football Association calling it &#8220;astonishing&#8221; and requesting an explanation from FIFA.\u00a0What does the letter say?\u00a0The letter, dated 8 July and signed by 72 MEPs, is addressed to the presidents of the 27 national football associations in EU member states.\u00a0Rather than asking the European Parliament to investigate, it urges the football associations to ask FIFA&#8217;s independent Ethics Committee to examine whether political pressure influenced the disciplinary process and whether Infantino complied with FIFA&#8217;s rules on political neutrality.The lawmakers, in a letter seen by Euronews, argue that FIFA&#8217;s own statutes and Code of Ethics require political neutrality and that member associations have a responsibility to ensure senior FIFA officials are held accountable if those rules are breached.\u00a0The lawmakers stress that their concerns are not about Balogun himself, writing that they are &#8220;not motivated by any desire to see any individual football player sanctioned&#8221; but instead want to &#8220;ensure that rules are applied in a way to protect the integrity of the game.&#8221;\u00a0Ultimately, and unlike what the viral claim suggests, the letter is not the official position of the European Parliament, but an initiative by individual MEPs.It does not represent the official stance of the European Parliament itself, which has not adopted a resolution calling for an investigation, nor has it voted to endorse the letter.FIFA&#8217;s response\u00a0Neither FIFA nor Infantino have publicly responded to the letter.\u00a0Both previously rejected suggestions that Balogun&#8217;s case was influenced by political considerations, with FIFA saying the decision to lift the suspension was made by its independent disciplinary committee.\u00a0Infantino confirmed that the call with Trump took place, but said he explained to the US president that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA&#8217;s judicial bodies and that the &#8220;case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies,&#8221; which he argued were independent.\u00a0<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/07\/14\/fact-check-european-parliament-did-not-call-for-fifa-probe&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/83\/37\/78\/1200x675_cmsv2_018bb223-d263-5017-93a8-8713eb8ae7be-9833778.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Almost 60 gored or bruised during Spain&#8217;s San Ferm\u00edn bull runs Sport Yamal answers Rajoy&#8217;s controversial column on France Cinema &#8216;Digger&#8217;: Will this film land Tom Cruise his first Oscar win? Europe News Fontainebleau fire still burning as 850 firefighters tackle blaze Europe News Almost 60 gored or bruised during [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2042309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2042309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2042309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2042309\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2042309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2042309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2042309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}