Norway appeals to FIFA over Balogun case, citing Trump intervention

Norway's Football Federation is preparing to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA's Ethics Committee concerning the Folarin Balogun case, according to federation president Lise Klaveness. The federation intends to challenge the decision to overturn a ban on the U.S. striker, which they claim was influenced by direct intervention from then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Trying to sweep this under the rug now won’t work.

Klaveness revealed in an interview with The New York Times that the federation will pursue the complaint, emphasizing that football's rules cannot be compromised. The controversy stems from an alleged phone call between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the recent World Cup, which reportedly led to Balogun being allowed to play in a crucial match. Norway views this as a dangerous precedent that could undermine the entire sport.

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When you bypass a rule like this, you are on a slippery slope that endangers the whole game.

"When you bypass a rule like this, you are on a slippery slope that endangers the whole game," Klaveness stated, urging Infantino to acknowledge the mistake. The decision to overturn Balogun's suspension was reportedly made by the president of FIFA's Disciplinary Committee, Mohammad Al Kamali. The Norwegian FA believes this action sets a concerning precedent for the future of football governance.

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It was wrong.