The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that 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 his nation’s last-16 clash with Belgium after being sent off during their 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32.
However, in the days following, it emerged that the United States President had personally spoken to Infantino on the phone and encouraged the governing body to ‘review’ the decision.
FIFA subsequently confirmed that Balogun’s ban would be suspended for 12 months despite there being no formal appeal or precedent for the decision.
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The governing body gave no reason for the decision, beyond citing a rule that allows punishments to be suspended.
NFF president Lise Klaveness believes the decision to overturn the ban was an ‘error’ and confirmed that they intended to raise the issue formally 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. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game,’ 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.
‘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.’
Norway’s federation has already filed a complaint about FIFA’s decision to award its first Peace Prize to President Trump before the tournament.
Following outcry over the reversal of Balogun’s red card, Infantino was forced to deny that Trump had any influence in the decision.
‘FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent,’ he said in a statement during the tournament.
‘They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.’
Trump sought to play down any role he played, but did praise FIFA for its ‘brilliant’ decision to suspend Balogun’s red card.
‘All I did, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul,’ Trump confirmed in a press conference.
‘And again, I’m good at this stuff. I think they made a brilliant decision. I think the referee’s call was horrible.’
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