Norway's football chief Lise Klaveness has announced plans to lodge a formal complaint to FIFA's ethics committee over the controversial suspension of Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban. Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), told The Times that she will seek the backing of her board to file the complaint, arguing that the incident 'should not have happened' and 'put the whole game at risk'.
The controversy erupted when FIFA suspended Balogun's automatic suspension following his red card in Norway's last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing him to play in the match against Belgium. The decision sparked widespread condemnation, particularly after it emerged that US President Donald Trump had intervened by phoning FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Belgium, seemingly galvanized by the controversy, went on to defeat the co-hosts 4-1. Klaveness expressed deep concern over the precedent set by bending the rules under external pressure. 'When you bend a rule like this, you're on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk,' she said. 'It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.'
Klaveness criticized the decision-making process, noting that the suspension was reportedly taken solely by the chairman of FIFA's disciplinary committee, Mohammad al-Kamali, without consulting other members. '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),' she emphasized.
The NFF has previously complained about FIFA's decision to award its inaugural Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump, a move that was widely ridiculed. Klaveness, a former Norway international and head of the NFF since 2022, stressed the importance of addressing the Balogun affair transparently. 'To try to sweep this under the carpet now will not fly,' she said. 'Too many felt this... coaches, players, fans... that this was too close to the game.'
