Norway Files Official Complaint Over Donald Trump's Role in Folarin Balogun Red Card Reversal

Why Norway is Challenging Trump's Involvement in the Balogun Red Card Issue

The incident surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card has sent shockwaves across the teams competing in the 2026 World Cup. Even though the USMNT failed to overcome Belgium and exited the tournament, the Norwegian Football Federation is pushing back against how Balogun's suspension was overturned.

Many soccer federations expressed anger over former President Donald Trump’s confirmed interference in the one-match suspension case. Now, Norway has joined this group by filing a formal complaint.

Norwegian Football Federation Takes Action

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), announced plans to urge the NFF board to lodge an official complaint with FIFA regarding the decision to reverse Balogun’s ban, as reported by ESPN and The Times. She warned about the dangers of compromising football’s integrity.

"Trying to sweep this under the rug now won't work."

"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," Klaveness said. "We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process.

"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."

Klaveness also pointed out that FIFA president Gianni Infantino awarded Trump the FIFA Peace Prize just before the tournament started, adding another layer to the controversy.

Details of Trump's Involvement

Trump openly confirmed that he contacted Infantino to request a review of Balogun's suspension. He told reporters the red card was an unfair decision.

"I didn't tell him what to do, I can't tell him what to do," Trump explained. "When they take your best player, or just about, they have some great players, and they say you can't play, that's very unfair. It's one thing to penalize somebody for the game, but how do you penalize them for a game that hasn't been played yet? You can't do that. That's unfair. So yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who is highly respected, and by the way, whose level of respect has gone up ten-fold, and he was good before this started. He really pushed it. I'm the one that got them to do it."

Infantino admitted to speaking with Trump but denied any improper influence over the disciplinary decision.

"I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues," Infantino said. "During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold."

The Red Card Incident

The controversy began during the Round of 32 match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun committed a foul involving studs to the back of Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic, which after review led to a red card.

This suspension was set to sideline Balogun for the next match against Belgium, an important fixture for the US team. Following Trump's intervention, the red card penalty was overturned, reportedly by FIFA disciplinary committee chair Mohammad Al Kamali alone.

Balogun played against Belgium, but the US lost 4-1 and were eliminated from the tournament.