EU sports commissioner warns against political interference in sporting decisions

BRUSSELS — European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef has called for decisions in sport to be kept free from political interference, saying rules and regulations should be set by sporting bodies rather than politicians. He made the remarks on his social media account, without naming any individual case directly. His intervention follows FIFA's decision to suspend the suspension of U.S. national team player Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium after receiving a red card. The reversal came after FIFA President Gianni Infantino received a request from U.S. President Donald Trump. Micallef said he had seen the views of many fans, including former players, on the Balogun ruling. He added that he personally considered the original sanction incorrect, but stressed that this view does not alter the principle that sports governance should remain in independent structures.