This week, members of the European Parliament issued two sharp rebukes of FIFA over its decision to allow Russians to participate in the U-15 World Cup in October and President Gianni Infantino's relationship with U.S. leader Donald Trump.

In letters published Monday and Wednesday, 90 MEPs pressed FIFA over actions they said undermine the world football governing body’s political neutrality.

POLITICO sat down with the author of Wednesday's letter, Lithuanian MEP Petras Auštrevičius from the liberal Renew group, to discuss how the European Parliament is taking a stand against FIFA.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Auštrevičius’ criticism.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Tell us why you wrote that letter condemning FIFA for allowing Russia to return to the U-15 World Cup.

The letter came as a reaction to FIFA's decision to open up the gates for the Russian U-15 team for the World Cup in October. To my mind, it's completely based on moral and political blindness. This period of time is absolutely wrong to send this kind of sport-based but politics-based signal to Russia. Imagine some national teams refusing to play against Russians will face disqualification, which is completely wrong and it will lead to unfair sport competitions. It's not the first time FIFA disappoints sport supporters and the wider public in this regard.

Infantino said earlier this year that he opposes these kinds of bans, like the one that's been in place for Russia, because they "create more hatred." How do you respond?

I can imagine the Russian U-15 team is on the field, and there will be a lot of sports viewers and participants in that stadium. I don't reject [the possibility of them protesting against] Russian players. I'm sorry for the Russian U-15 national team, but that's absolutely understandable for me, the public reaction toward their country's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Is the relationship between Infantino and Trump a cause for concern? 

It's a demonstration of political affiliations. FIFA is not any longer a neutral sports organization, I am sorry to say. As long as they play those appeasing games with high politicians around the world, it's simply a disadvantage of FIFA rather than a strong point. We have to be concerned if that sport becomes rather political.

Lithuania is not in the World Cup, so who are you supporting?

Well, I've been supporting [the] Europeans. I've been a strong supporter of Germany — whew, disappointed. Disappointed.

But now I keep an eye on Spain.

Switzerland is busy selling itself as a premier venue for international sports competitions — and the government is throwing its weight behind the effort.

In June, Bern backed plans to fund international sports competitions from 2027 to 2029, and two weeks ago, it approved $247 million in funding for the 2038 Winter Olympics, which it is moving toward securing the right to host.

Ruth Metzler-Arnold, president of Switzerland's Olympic committee, said at the time that the 2038 bid "is bringing everyone together behind a concerted vision that will bolster Swiss sport in the long run and inspire generations to come."

Switzerland already has a sizable sporting footprint. Many international sports organizations — including FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, European football governing body UEFA and the Union Cycliste Internationale — are already headquartered in the Alpine country.

In early June, the Swiss approved more than a million dollars each to support the 2027 World Rowing Championships in Lucerne and the 2028 European men’s Handball Championships in Zurich. Government money will also flow to swimming, figure skating, basketball and bobsled championships.

Switzerland is currently in a "privileged dialogue" with the IOC over its 2038 Winter Games bid, meaning that it holds exclusive rights to organize a bid until the end of next year. Karl Stoss, the chair of the IOC’s Future Host Commission ‌for the Olympic Winter Games, said in February that a host election could happen as soon as April 2027.

On the soccer field, Switzerland hosted the 2025 Women’s European Championship and co-hosted the 2008 men’s European Championship. Progress in its long-shot 2026 World Cup campaign — which continues tonight in Vancouver against Algeria — will only bolster Switzerland's sports credentials.