FIFA are reportedly braced to receive a formal complaint about Donald Trump's involvement in the Folarin Balogun saga during the World Cup. Balogun found himself at the centre of the tournament's biggest controversy after the USA striker was sent off during their second-round victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. It should have landed him a one-game ban, ruling him out of their subsequent match against Belgium in the round of 16. However, that punishment was suspended for a one-year probationary period after Trump put pressure on FIFA behind the scenes. He personally called Gianni Infantino to demand that Balogun was deemed eligible to play against Belgium. Trump also enlisted a specialist team of White House allies and lawyers to present a case alongside US Soccer, the national governing body.
Norway plans ethics complaint
It has since been revealed that the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) are planning to complain about the Balogun saga, which sparked outrage from across the football world and has not been quietly forgotten. They will demand an explanation from FIFA's ethics committee, with NFF president Lise Klaveness warning against attempts to sweep the scandal under the carpet.
Speaking to The Times, she said: "When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game."
"First of all, it should not have happened. It is very important now to have honest communication around it. We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process."
"We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error. If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation’s behaviour, and also the red line of what states’ leaders should interfere with."
Norway previously complained about Trump being awarded the FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw ceremony in December, claiming it had breached rules on political neutrality.
Klaveness, who is a qualified lawyer, added: "When you make controversial decisions, and when there has been an external, very powerful voice in your ear, it’s very important that you have more voices [making the decision] and if you don’t, it’s a mistake."
"This case was so serious and so worrying that I hope that it might contribute to bring people out a little bit and don’t fear to bring up cases."
"I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it. To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint."
"To try to sweep this under the carpet now will not fly. Too many felt this, coaches, players, fans, that this was too close to the game."
