Norway Football Federation (NFF) president Lise Klaveness plans to request her board’s approval to file a complaint with FIFA’s ethics committee regarding the controversial decision to waive USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Balogun received a red card in the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, leading to an automatic suspension for the Round of 16 game against Belgium. However, FIFA utilized Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the ban for a probationary period of one year, allowing the player to be eligible for selection.
The move generated significant backlash, especially after reports suggested that US President Donald Trump had intervened by contacting FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the ban was lifted. Klaveness had previously lodged a formal complaint when Infantino presented FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize to Trump. She now believes that the Balogun incident warrants scrutiny by FIFA’s ethics committee. Klaveness expressed apprehension about the repercussions of FIFA’s decision, stating that bending rules in such a manner poses a risk to the integrity of the game.
Highlighting the importance of upholding fundamental rules, Klaveness emphasized the need for FIFA to acknowledge the error publicly. She stressed that adapting behavior towards state leaders and politics could set a dangerous precedent for interference. Klaveness asserted that the issue should not be overlooked post-tournament, as many stakeholders, including coaches, players, and fans, felt that the incident was too close to the game.
Despite Balogun’s reinstatement, the USA faced a disappointing outcome in the Round of 16, suffering a 4-1 defeat and exiting the home World Cup.
