Norway considers formal complaint to FIFA over Balogun World Cup ban suspension

Image caption: Folarin Balogun was the United States' top scorer at the World Cup with three goals

By Jane Dougall BBC Sport presenter

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) is considering filing a formal complaint to FIFA's ethics committee regarding the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban during the World Cup.

United States forward Balogun was expected to miss his side's last-16 tie against Belgium after receiving a straight red card during their 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, following an intervention from US President Donald Trump, the one-match ban was suspended for 12 months. No reason was given beyond citing a rule that allows punishments to be suspended.

Balogun started the match, which Belgium won 4-1.

In a statement provided to the BBC, NFF president Lise Klaveness said the federation had reacted with "strong concern" and that a decision on whether to make a complaint would be made at its next board meeting.

The federation has already filed a complaint about FIFA's first Peace Prize being awarded to President Trump.

"It is appropriate to include the Balogun case in the inquiry to FIFA's ethics committee that we made before the World Cup regarding FIFA's so-called peace prize award during the draw in Washington before Christmas last year," Klaveness said.

The statement followed reports that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could also investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020.

Section two of the Olympic charter states: "Members of the IOC will not accept from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote."

In response to a BBC request, the IOC issued a statement saying: "Complaints to the IOC ethics commission are confidential. The IOC will therefore not make any public announcement about whether a complaint has been submitted or not by an external party. The IOC will only communicate sanctions should the ethics commission decide to impose some."

Figure caption: FIFA disciplinary chairman refuses to answer questions

Why Was Balogun Allowed to Play?

Image caption: Folarin Balogun was sent off during the United States' match against Bosnia & Herzegovina

Despite being shown a straight red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun remained available for the United States' match against Belgium. His reinstatement followed a phone call between Trump and Infantino, with the US president later saying FIFA had made a "great decision."

Infantino has maintained that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently.

At a news conference in the Oval Office on 6 July, President Trump said: "I spoke to Gianni. So I saw the play, and I'm a person that loves sports and I understand sports really well, and that wasn't a foul. Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who is highly respected. I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. I didn't tell him what to do, I can't tell him what to do."

The Royal Belgian Football Federation said it was "deeply concerned by the course of events" and would "fight... in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole."

FIFA ruled Belgium's request for an explanation of Balogun's suspended red card "inadmissible," meaning it had no grounds to appeal.

UEFA, European football's governing body, said FIFA's actions had "crossed a red line" and described it as an "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

Related Topics

• Football
• USA
• Norway
• FIFA World Cup 2026

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