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SportsNorwegian Football Federation to file FIFA complaint over Trump's intervention in Balogun case
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The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), led by president Lise Klaveness, announced it will file a complaint with FIFA's ethics committee regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's intervention to overturn the suspension of American striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. Balogun was suspended for the round of 16 match against Belgium but was allowed to play after Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Klaveness accused FIFA of trying to 'sweep this matter under the rug' and warned that bending rules endangers the integrity of the game. The NFF will combine this complaint with a previous one filed in June concerning the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump. It was also revealed that the decision to cancel the suspension was made unilaterally by Mohammad al-Kamali, chairman of FIFA's disciplinary committee.
Source report
The controversy surrounding the cancellation of Folarin Balogun's suspension at the World Cup continues to escalate. In an interview with The Times on Thursday, Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) President Lise Klaveness announced that the organization will file a complaint with FIFA's ethics committee.
Demand for Transparency
The NFF is seeking full transparency regarding the involvement of U.S. President Donald Trump in the matter. Trump reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request the lifting of the American striker's sanction.
Klaveness issued a warning to the FIFA presidency, accusing it of wanting to "sweep this matter under the rug." She argued that "when you bend a rule like this, you are on a slippery slope that endangers the entire game."
The former midfielder specifically called on Infantino to admit "that it was a mistake."
Combined Complaint
The NFF is expected to combine this complaint with one filed in June concerning the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to President Trump.
Background
Folarin Balogun, who was suspended for the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium (which Belgium won 4-1), was ultimately allowed to start the game after President Trump personally intervened with Infantino to have the sanction lifted.
It was also revealed 10 days ago that the decision to cancel the American striker's suspension was made by a single individual: Mohammad al-Kamali, the chairman of FIFA's disciplinary committee.
Source
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