Norway FA plans to file an ethics complaint against FIFA over its decision to overturn Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, calling it a threat to the game’s integrity.
Thibaut Courtois (R), goalkeeper of Belgium, makes a save from Folarin Balogun (2nd R) of the United States during the round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, the United States, July 6, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua via IANS)
The Norway Football Federation (NFF) is set to seek an ethics investigation into FIFA’s controversial decision to overturn USA forward Folarin Balogun’s automatic suspension during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
NFF president Lise Klaveness said she will ask the federation’s board to approve a formal complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee, arguing that the governing body’s handling of the case raises serious concerns about the integrity of the sport.
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Balogun was sent off during the United States’ Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ordinarily carried an automatic one-match suspension for the Round of 16.
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However, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the ban for a one-year probationary period, allowing the striker to feature against Belgium.
The decision drew widespread criticism, particularly after reports suggested that US President Donald Trump had spoken to FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the suspension was lifted. FIFA has not publicly confirmed that the decision was linked to the reported call.
Klaveness said the federation views the Balogun case as an ethical issue and intends to raise it formally.
“I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it. To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint,” she told The Times.
Warning about the wider implications of FIFA’s decision, she added:
“When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.”
Klaveness also called on FIFA to publicly admit that the decision was an error, warning against political influence in football governance.
“We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error. If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation’s behaviour, and also the red line of what states’ leaders should interfere with.”
She added that the issue cannot simply be forgotten once the World Cup ends.
“To try to sweep this under the carpet now will not fly. Too many felt this… coaches, players, fans… that this was too close to the game.”
Despite Balogun being cleared to play, the United States failed to progress, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 to exit the tournament on home soil.
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