The collective of European football supporters’ associations, Football Supporters Europe (FSE), welcomed on Monday the Council of Europe’s initiative to demand that FIFA establish an integrity framework for the 2030 World Cup before it takes place. This stance comes in response to the controversies that marred the recent 2026 edition.

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“When rules are bent under pressure, every result is open to doubt,” FSE stated, supporting the comments of the Council of Europe’s Secretary General, Alain Berset, regarding the erosion of integrity in world football.

In his statement, Berset warned that political influence is now even being exerted on the pitch itself. The Secretary General made direct reference to external pressures during the 2026 World Cup: A sanction was suspended during the competition after a head of state called the FIFA president.

This statement refers to the intervention of US President Donald Trump, who contacted Gianni Infantino to overturn the red card shown to American Folarin Balogun after his expulsion against Bosnia. The suspension was temporarily lifted, allowing Balogun to play in the 1-4 defeat to Belgium, which generated widespread outrage.

“When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt.”

FSE welcomes @CoE Secretary General Alain Berset’s comments on the erosion of integrity at this World Cup and supports his call for a stronger integrity framework ahead of 2030. https://t.co/HvQ7fymeoL

— Football Supporters Europe (@FansEurope) July 20, 2026

Given this scenario, the FSE supports Berset’s proposal to organize a “third half” (a social gathering) to initiate a constructive dialogue aimed at establishing ethical guarantees for the tournament to be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the centenary of the World Cup.

The call to safeguard integrity at the 2030 World Cup comes immediately after the 2026 final, where Spain won its second title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in a match played in New York.

Fan organizations maintain their demand that sporting standards not be circumvented by political interests in future FIFA tournaments.

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