Norway Considers FIFA Ethics Complaint Over Trump-Linked World Cup Decision

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) is weighing a formal complaint to FIFA’s Ethics Committee after the governing body overturned the automatic one-match suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun for a red card received in the previous round of the 2026 World Cup. The reversal allowed Balogun to play in the United States’ round-of-16 match against Belgium. President Donald Trump later took credit for the change, calling the original decision “horrible” and saying he had contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the case. NFF President Lise Klaveness said the federation will discuss the matter at its next board meeting and may add the Balogun incident to an earlier ethics filing concerning FIFA’s “peace prize” presentation to Trump during the World Cup draw in Washington.

Newsweek

The Balogun controversy follows a December 2025 ethics complaint filed by the advocacy group FairSquare, which alleged that Infantino repeatedly breached FIFA rules on political neutrality. The group has launched a “Reboot FIFA” campaign, claiming it may become the largest single complaint ever submitted to FIFA and has secured backing from more than 50 Members of the European Parliament. In addition, FairSquare filed a parallel complaint with the International Olympic Committee, citing Infantino’s IOC membership and the Balogun affair as potential evidence of political interference.

Newsweek

Klaveness told Newsweek that UEFA and the NFF reacted with “deep concern” when FIFA reversed Balogun’s suspension and that the federation will decide its course of action after the board meeting. McGeehan reiterated that the complaint seeks to enforce FIFA’s commitment to political neutrality and accountability.

Newsweek

• Support from more than 50 European Parliament members for the FairSquare complaint.

Newsweek

• FairSquare describes its filing as the largest ethics complaint ever lodged against FIFA.

Newsweek

• A regional court in Frankfurt issued an injunction ordering FIFA to disclose the identity and address of commercial ticket sellers in Germany’s secondary market.

Newsweek

• “We take consumer protection and transparency very seriously and believe that all players must abide by the same rules,” — Marçal Gutiérrez — Marçal Gutiérrez, legal counsel for Ticombo, on consumer-protection standards.

Newsweek