Norway to Challenge FIFA Over Trump’s Role in Balogun’s World Cup Suspension
Norway is preparing to take its concerns over Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension directly to FIFA after alleging that political influence played a role in the decision that allowed the United States striker to return to action.
The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) is considering a formal complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee over the handling of Balogun’s red card suspension, which was lifted shortly before the United States’ last-16 match against Belgium.
Balogun had initially been expected to miss the game after being sent off during the United States’ last-32 meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
His suspension, however, was later suspended by FIFA following a reported phone conversation between United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Trump is said to have urged Infantino to ensure that the striker would be available for the crucial match.
The development has raised concerns in Norway, with NFF President Lise Klaveness questioning whether FIFA allowed outside political pressure to influence a football disciplinary matter.
Klaveness told The Times that the Norwegian federation was preparing to discuss the issue with its board before deciding whether to submit an official complaint.
She argued that FIFA’s handling of the matter could have serious consequences for the credibility of football’s governing structures.
“Once you begin bending the rules, you enter a dangerous territory that could put the entire game at risk,” Klaveness said.
According to her, the situation was particularly troubling because the decision appeared to have been influenced by forces outside the normal disciplinary process.
She also warned that allowing political leaders to exert influence over football decisions could create a precedent that would be difficult to control.
“If you begin adjusting the organisation’s behaviour because of state leaders or political interests, you also begin shifting the boundaries of what political figures are allowed to interfere with,” she said.
Infantino, however, has rejected suggestions that Trump influenced the disciplinary decision.
The FIFA president maintained that the matter was handled independently by the organisation’s disciplinary committee, which, he said, operates according to FIFA’s disciplinary regulations and the facts of each case.
He insisted that the committee’s independence remained essential to the credibility and integrity of the sport.
Klaveness, however, said FIFA had failed to properly address the concerns surrounding the decision.
While acknowledging that the disciplinary committee had the authority to make its own ruling, she argued that the organisation should have been more transparent about the circumstances surrounding the case.
She described the decision as controversial and said FIFA could not simply ignore the concerns raised by coaches, players and supporters.
The Norwegian football chief has previously criticised FIFA over its relationship with Trump, including the decision to award the US president a FIFA Peace Prize.
She now says the Balogun case is too serious to be quietly forgotten.
If her board supports her position, Norway is expected to formally present its complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee, potentially opening a wider debate over political influence, disciplinary independence and the limits of external interference in international football.
