Council of Europe criticizes FIFA for political interference

Hours before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Council of Europe issued a sharp public critique of soccer's global governing body, warning that the sport's integrity is under threat from political pressure and commercial gambling ties. In an open letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino on July -19, the head of the 46-nation human rights body, Alain Berset, declared that a crisis of "money and power" has already begun, overshadowing the tournament's conclusion.

The letter, sent just before the final match, cited two primary concerns: alleged political interference in disciplinary decisions and the risks posed by FIFA's sponsorship deals with prediction betting markets. Berset focused on the so-called "Balogun affair," in which a mandatory one-game suspension for United States forward Folarin Balogun was suspended ahead of a critical knockout match against Belgium. Berset stated the suspension followed a direct phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump to Infantino, arguing that such influence undermines the sport's rule of law. "When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt," Berset wrote....