EU commissioner says sport decisions should belong to sport bodies, not politicians

He says influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group B - Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - Jun 12, 2026 Singers Elyanna and Jessie Reyez perform during the opening ceremony before the match REUTERS/Claudia Greco

Glen Micallef, the European Commissioner whose portfolio includes sport, said on Monday that sport decisions should belong to sport bodies and not politicians, as anger grew over US President Donald Trump's intervention with FIFA before a World Cup match.

Micallef's comment on X comes after FIFA suspended US striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban, clearing him to play in the next round against Belgium, after Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.

"Many football fans, including former players, have already spoken out about the suspension of Balogun. As a fan, I too believe it was the wrong decision," wrote Micallef.

"This said, I have always been clear. Decisions on sporting rules and sporting matters belong to sporting bodies, not politicians. Influencing sporting decisions would undermine the autonomy of sport," he added.