The Norwegian Football Federation is preparing to consider a formal ethics complaint regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's involvement in overturning a mandatory one-game suspension for American soccer player Folarin Balogun during the recent World Cup. The federation’s board of directors is expected to discuss the potential filing at its meeting scheduled for August 6.
The controversy centers on Balogun’s red card received for a foul committed against Bosnia and Herzegovina during a July 1 match. Under FIFA regulations, the red card carried an automatic one-match suspension, which would have barred Balogun from the United States’ subsequent quarterfinal game against Belgium. However, following Trump’s direct phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the suspension was deferred, allowing Balogun to participate in the high-stakes match, which Belgium won 4-1.
Norway’s football federation president, Lise Klaveness, a former Women’s World Cup player and UEFA executive committee member, has expressed concern that external political influence compromised the disciplinary process. In statements to media, she emphasized that the decision was unprecedented in FIFA’s 60-year World Cup history and represented a bending of established rules, warning that such actions jeopardize the integrity of the sport. Klaveness has called for FIFA leadership to acknowledge the ruling as an error and to engage in an honest assessment of the incident.
Trump publicly criticized the original red card decision, labeling it a “horrible” call, and took credit for prompting FIFA’s review that led to the suspension being lifted. Infantino, for his part, stated that the case was reviewed by FIFA’s independent judicial bodies before the reinstatement decision, asserting the process was proper.
The case has drawn additional scrutiny due to longstanding connections between Trump and Infantino. Reports indicate that Trump views Infantino as a potential candidate for the United Nations secretary-general role. In December, FIFA awarded Trump a newly created Peace Prize at the World Cup draw ceremony, an event that has also been subject to ethical complaints.
Alongside Norway’s forthcoming complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee, the human rights group FairSquare has filed a parallel complaint with the International Olympic Committee, where Infantino holds an elected position, alleging breaches of political neutrality rules.
Critics have also questioned the independence of FIFA’s ethics and disciplinary processes, noting the lack of transparency in how decisions involving Balogun and other players were reached. FIFA has not released detailed documentation regarding the disciplinary outcomes connected to the incident, fueling calls for greater accountability.
The Norwegian federation’s impending complaint follows earlier objections from Norwegian officials and advocacy groups, signaling a broader demand within the international soccer community for clarity and adherence to established disciplinary protocols free from outside influence.