Norwegian Culture Minister Sees Football President as a Role Model

Norway's Minister of Culture, Lubna Jaffery, has expressed deep admiration for the Norwegian Football Federation president, Lise Klaveness, viewing her as a significant role model. Jaffery highlighted Klaveness's prominent and principled criticism of FIFA President Gianni Infantino as particularly impactful.

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I believe we can all learn something from Lise Klaveness. She is a fantastic role model, and as a Norwegian, I feel privileged to have her as our football president.

"I believe we can all learn something from Lise Klaveness. She is a fantastic role model, and as a Norwegian, I feel privileged to have her as our football president," Jaffery told NTB. The minister emphasized Klaveness's courage in taking on necessary battles, framing them as fights for "people, equality, and equity."

Klaveness, who has led the Norwegian Football Federation since 2022, has been a vocal critic of FIFA's decisions and policies. Her opposition was notably evident leading up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. More recently, she has been a leading voice questioning Gianni Infantino's proposal to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments to external investors. Klaveness was among the first to criticize the plan, and after it was withdrawn due to widespread opposition, she called for Infantino's immediate resignation.

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She has taken many battles because they are necessary. It is about people, equality, and equity.

Jaffery believes Klaveness's clarity, uncompromising nature, and adherence to principles make her an important example for everyone, especially young people. "She has been clear, uncompromising, and principled all the way. We can all learn something from that, and we can be proud of it. She is an important role model, and I think all children, young people, boys and girls, growing up in Norway, will think 'football president' when they see a picture of Lise Klaveness," the minister stated.

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She has been clear, uncompromising, and principled all the way. We can all learn something from that, and we can be proud of it.

Klaveness is expected to attend the European Super Cup final in Salzburg, where she will meet with counterparts from other national football associations. Discussions about the ongoing turmoil within FIFA are anticipated to be a prominent topic of conversation.

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She is an important role model, and I think all children, young people, boys and girls, growing up in Norway, will think 'football president' when they see a picture of Lise Klaveness.