The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) is poised to file an ethics complaint with FIFA after the governing body unexpectedly reversed a ban imposed on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun. The suspension, originally handed down after a red‑card incident in a match against Bosnia, was lifted following a direct appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump.
A political twist in a sporting sanction
Balogun’s red‑card was issued during a World Cup qualifier, prompting FIFA’s disciplinary committee to suspend him for a single match. The committee later extended the penalty by a year, a decision the NFF deems erroneous and potentially damaging to the integrity of the tournament.
According to sources close to the NFF, President Gianni Infantino was contacted by Trump, who argued that the sanction was disproportionate. The intervention appears to have convinced FIFA’s disciplinary panel to suspend the ban for a year, a move the Norwegian body describes as a mistake that undermines fair play.
The NFF has a history of challenging FIFA decisions, having previously supported a complaint to the Ethics Committee regarding the awarding of a Peace Prize to Trump. Board members will convene on August 6 to decide whether to merge this case with the earlier grievance or to pursue them separately.
Reactions from across the football world
Javier Tebas, president of Spain’s LaLiga, publicly condemned the reversal, calling the suspension of Balogun’s ban “an extremely serious matter” and urging Infantino to step down amid growing scrutiny of his relationship with the U.S. president.
FIFA has not yet responded to a Reuters request for comment, and the organization’s silence adds to the perception that the governing body is being pressured by political forces. Observers warn that the episode could set a precedent for external interference in disciplinary matters.