Norway’s football federation is weighing a formal complaint to Fifa’s ethics committee over the decision to defer Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension at the World Cup.
The United States forward had been set to miss the last-16 match against Belgium after receiving a straight red card in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Following an intervention from US President Donald Trump, the ban was postponed for 12 months under a rule that permits punishments to be suspended; no further explanation was provided. Balogun went on to start the game, which Belgium won 4-1.
NFF president Lise Klaveness said the federation was “strongly concerned” and would decide at its next board meeting whether to file a complaint. The NFF has already complained about Fifa’s first Peace Prize being awarded to President Trump, and Klaveness said the Balogun matter would be added to that existing ethics inquiry, initiated before the World Cup after the prize was presented at the draw in Washington late last year.
The statement came amid reports that the International Olympic Committee could also look into Fifa president Gianni Infantino, an IOC member since 2020. The Olympic Charter states that IOC members must not accept instructions from governments or others that could compromise their independence in actions or votes.
Responding to a BBC query, the IOC said complaints to its ethics commission are confidential and it will only make public any sanctions if the commission decides to impose them.