SerpApi.Org
The Norwegian FA is set to launch a complaint against President Donald Trump over his interference in USMNT star Folarin Balogun’s knockout stage red card at the World Cup.
Balogun, 24, was the USMNT’s top scorer at the World Cup with three goals, before he was sent off in America’s 2-0 Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The red card would have resulted in a one-game suspension, meaning the Monaco striker would have missed the USMNT’s Round of 16 clash against former No. 1-ranked Belgium.
However, Trump staged an intervention with FIFA, pleading Balogun’s case to the President and pal, Gianni Infantino. Balogun’s suspension was then delayed for a one-year probationary period under the Article 27 authority of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The decision caused uproar, infuriating other soccer governing bodies, football associations, and fans, who mercilessly booed Trump at the World Cup final.
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With the World Cup now concluded, and Spain crowned world champions after a feisty affair against 2022 winners Argentina, which saw Leandro Paredes lose control and attack rivals, the Norwegian FA will launch a complaint over Trump’s intervention.
Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation, has revealed that the governing body plans to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA over the controversial case. Speaking to The Times, Klaveness confirmed the federation intends to challenge the handling of the matter.
"When you bend a rule like this, you head down a slippery slope that puts the entire game at risk. It is a concern for football when fundamental rules of the game are compromised,” Klaveness said.
"First and foremost, this should not have happened. It is crucial now to have honest communication about it. We all know that this decision was influenced by external forces and did not follow the proper process. We need FIFA to acknowledge that this was a mistake.
"If you start adapting in this way to heads of state and state politics, you alter your own behavior and that of the organization — and you also shift the boundaries regarding what heads of state should interfere in. And that is what happened.”
Klaveness stressed that her concerns extend far beyond the individual case, arguing that the broader principles surrounding the decision-making process are what matter most.
"When you make controversial decisions—especially when a powerful external voice has been whispering in your ear—it is vital that the decision is made by multiple voices. If that doesn't happen, it is a mistake."
She also expressed hope that the controversy would encourage others to speak up when they have concerns, insisting the matter cannot simply be ignored.
"This case was so serious and concerning that I hope it encourages people to step forward and not be afraid to raise issues. I intend to bring this up at a board meeting and discuss it with my board, and then we will take action. To me, this falls into the same category as an ethics complaint."
Klaveness added that the backlash from across the sport demonstrated the issue had struck a nerve and could not simply be dismissed.
"Trying to sweep this under the rug now won't work. Far too many people—coaches, players, and fans alike—felt that this encroached too far upon the game itself."
