The president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), Lise Klaveness, plans to ask her board to pursue a formal ethics complaint regarding FIFA's decision to suspend a red card ban for U.S. soccer player Folarin Balogun. Klaveness stated that FIFA should acknowledge the suspension of Balogun's ban as an error, expressing concern over external political influence on the organization's decisions.
Klaveness argued that altering rules due to pressure from state leaders could endanger the integrity of the sport. "We need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error," Klaveness told The Times. "If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behavior and the organization's behavior, and also the red line of what states' leaders should interfere with. And that happened."
She asserted that the proper process was not followed in Balogun's case and that bending rules sets a dangerous precedent. "First of all, it should not have happened. It is very important now to have honest communication around it. We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process," Klaveness said. "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."
Former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card issued to Balogun, which would have made him ineligible for the knockout match against Belgium. Following Trump's call, FIFA suspended the one-game ban, allowing Balogun to play.
Trump defended his actions, stating he believed the initial red card was not a foul. "All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul," Trump said. "And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different."
He added that preventing a top player from participating would have been a significant detriment to the tournament. "I think it’s a terrible… if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players."
Despite Balogun's participation, the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) lost 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16, ending their World Cup campaign. Trump also expressed criticism of the referee's initial call, stating, "I think the referee’s call was horrible and nobody talks about that. They talk about the red card like it’s fine."