The Commission warned that sporting decisions must be based on objective and transparent rules, insisting that political influence has no place in the governance of sport.
The European Commission has criticised FIFA's decision to overturn the suspension of United States forward, Folarin Balogun, after reports that United States President Donald Trump intervened by speaking directly with FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.
The Commission warned that sporting decisions must be based on objective and transparent rules, insisting that political influence has no place in the governance of sport.
Speaking on Monday, the European Commission spokesperson, Eva Hrncirova, declined to comment directly on Balogun's individual case but stressed that the autonomy of sporting bodies must be respected.
"We respect the autonomy of sport, and we respect the right of sports federations to decide on the criteria under which participants compete," she said as quoted by POLITICO.
