Folarin Balogun: Norway considers formal complaint to FIFA

The Norwegian Football Federation is considering filing a formal complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee over the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban during the World Cup.

United State forward Balogun was expected to miss his side’s last-16 tie against Belgium after being shown a straight red card during the 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

However, US President Donald Trump’s intervention resulted in a one-match ban was suspended for 12 months. No reason was given except to cite a rule allowing suspension of sentence.

Balogun started the match, which Belgium won 4–1.

In a statement to the BBC, NFF president Lis Clavennes said the federation reacted “with strong concern” and that a decision on whether to press charges would be made at its next board meeting.

The federation has already filed a complaint over the awarding of FIFA’s first peace prize to President Trump.

“It is appropriate that we include the Balogan case in the FIFA Ethics Committee’s investigation into the awarding of FIFA’s so-called Peace Prize during the draw in Washington last year before Christmas.”

The statement comes after reports that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may also investigate FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino is an IOC member since 2020.

Article two of the Olympic Charter states: “Members of the IOC shall not accept orders or instructions from governments, organizations or other parties liable to interfere with their freedom of action and vote.”

In response to a request from the BBC, the IOC issued a statement saying: “Complaints to the IOC Ethics Commission are confidential. The IOC will therefore not make any public announcements about whether or not a complaint has been submitted by an external party. The IOC will only communicate sanctions if the Ethics Commission decides to impose something.”