The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed it plans to submit a formal complaint to FIFA over Donald Trump's interference in the suspension of Folarin Balogun's World Cup red card. The United States forward was set to miss the last-16 clash with Belgium after being sent off in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Trump's alleged influence
It emerged that US President Donald Trump had personally spoken to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and encouraged the governing body to 'review' the decision. FIFA subsequently confirmed Balogun's ban would be suspended for 12 months despite no formal appeal or precedent. The governing body gave no reason beyond citing a rule allowing suspended punishments.
NFF president speaks out
NFF president Lise Klaveness believes the decision was an 'error' and confirmed they intend to raise the issue with FIFA's ethics committee. 'When you bend a rule like this, you're on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk,' Klaveness told The Times. '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.'
'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.'
FIFA and Trump respond
Infantino denied Trump had any influence, stating: 'FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them.' Trump downplayed his role but praised FIFA's 'brilliant' decision. 'All I did, I asked for a review, because I didn't think it was a foul,' Trump said in a press conference. 'I think they made a brilliant decision. I think the referee's call was horrible.'
