Norway's football federation is preparing a formal ethics complaint against FIFA, escalating a dispute over the controversial reversal of Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension. The row, which erupted after US President Donald Trump personally intervened with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has prompted Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), to seek board approval for the move. Klaveness told The Times that bending competition rules for political influence threatens the integrity of the sport itself. Main Developments Balogun, a US forward, received a red card during the last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic one-game suspension for the subsequent fixture against Belgium. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee chairman, Mohammad al-Kamali, unilaterally overrode that ban without consulting other committee members, according to The Times. Trump's phone call to Infantino preceded the decision, prompting widespread criticism that external political pressure had corrupted a sporting ruling. Belgium, seemingly motivated by the controversy, defeated the co-hosts 4-1 in the round of 16. Klaveness described the reversal as a fundamental breach of due process, stating that decisions influenced by "external forces" with improper procedure cannot be allowed to stand. The NFF president argued that if a head of state can bend rules for one player, the entire competitive framework collapses. Read also: Rubio: Iran seeks talks but not ready for deal as US strikes continue Background Klaveness, a former Norway international and lawyer who has led the NFF since 2022, has previously challenged FIFA's leadership. The federation already lodged a complaint over FIFA awarding its inaugural Peace Prize to Trump, a decision widely ridiculed within football circles. Klaveness sees the Balogun affair as part of the same pattern—leadership bending institutional rules to accommodate political power. Norway itself enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign, reaching the quarterfinals after a 28-year absence from the tournament. The team lost to England, but their return demonstrated the viability of a 48-team format, which Klaveness supports. However, she opposes proposals from South American football bodies to expand the finals further to 64 teams, arguing that such growth would damage domestic leagues and erode trust in FIFA's governance. Why It Matters Klaveness warned that FIFA's willingness to accommodate a US president sets a dangerous precedent for every member association. "When you bend a rule like this, you're on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk," she said. The incident raises questions about whether powerful nations can effectively buy favorable treatment, undermining the principle that all teams compete under identical regulations. The controversy also exposes internal governance weaknesses within FIFA's disciplinary system. Al-Kamali's sole-authority decision, made without consulting other committee members, suggests a lack of checks and balances. Klaveness emphasized that controversial rulings require collective deliberation, especially when external pressures are evident. "Too many felt this was too close to the game," she said, referring to coaches, players, and fans who viewed the reversal as corrupt. What's Next Klaveness will present her proposal to the NFF board for approval before formally submitting a complaint to FIFA's Ethics Committee. She insists the matter cannot be quietly resolved: "To try to sweep this under the carpet now will not fly." The NFF is demanding that Infantino publicly acknowledge the error and restore confidence in FIFA's rule enforcement. Separately, the debate over World Cup expansion continues. Klaveness criticized discussions about increasing the finals to 64 teams, calling them unreasonable so soon after the switch to 48. She argued that powerful voices pushing for further growth create distrust and threaten the balance between international tournaments and domestic leagues. The NFF's dual complaints—over the Balogun suspension and the Peace Prize—signal a broader push for accountability within world football's governing body.