Norway football federation files FIFA ethics complaint

The Norwegian Football Federation plans to formally protest to FIFA's ethics committee over political interference in a disciplinary decision involving United States striker Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup. This action comes after reports that President Donald Trump personally lobbied FIFA President Gianni Infantino to overturn a suspension Balogun was facing.

Balogun received a straight red card during the U.S. team's second-round victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which under tournament rules carried an automatic one-match suspension. This would have ruled him out of the co-hosts' round of 16 match against Belgium. However, FIFA's disciplinary committee, chaired by Mohammad Al-Kamali, suspended the ban for a one-year probationary period, clearing Balogun to play against the Belgians.

Trump confirmed he called Infantino to ask for a review of the ban and later thanked FIFA on social media for reversing what he called a "great injustice." The intervention, described as unprecedented, sparked immediate controversy and claims that the integrity of the sport's disciplinary process had been compromised.

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation and a...