Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, announced plans to file a formal ethics complaint regarding the decision to overturn a one-game suspension for U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) striker Folarin Balogun. Klaveness stated that the decision was influenced by external forces, including a direct appeal from then-U.S. President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Balogun received a red card during a World Cup match against Bosnia-Herzegovina for stepping on an opponent's ankle. He was initially suspended for one game. However, FIFA later overturned the ban, citing its Article 27 code of discipline, which allows for the suspension of disciplinary measures. This reversal permitted Balogun to play in the USMNT's subsequent round of 16 match against Belgium.
Klaveness expressed concern that bending rules under external pressure creates a "slippery slope" that could jeopardize the integrity of the sport. "It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game," she told The Times of London. "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."
She further elaborated that allowing political leaders to influence disciplinary decisions could alter FIFA's behavior and set a dangerous precedent. "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. And that happened."
Adding to her concerns, Klaveness criticized the process by which the decision was made, reportedly by a single individual, FIFA disciplinary committee chair Mohammad Al Kamali. Klaveness argued that such significant decisions, especially when facing external pressure, should involve multiple voices to ensure a fair process. "When there has been an external, very powerful voice in your ear, it’s very important you have more voices making the decision," she stated. "If you don’t, it’s a mistake."