2026 World Cup: Norway Weigh Ethics Complaint Over Balogun Suspension Controversy

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) is considering lodging a formal complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee over the controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match World Cup ban.

The United States striker was expected to miss his country’s Round of 16 encounter against Belgium after receiving a straight red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

However, FIFA suspended the sanction for 12 months, allowing Balogun to feature in the knockout tie, which Belgium won 4-1. The governing body did not provide a detailed explanation beyond citing a regulation that permits certain disciplinary sanctions to be suspended.

NFF President Lise Klaveness said the federation viewed the decision with “strong concern” and would decide at its next board meeting whether to submit a formal ethics complaint.

Klaveness also revealed that the Balogun issue could be incorporated into an existing complaint concerning FIFA’s decision to award its inaugural Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump.

The controversy has intensified following reports that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may also examine the matter because FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020.

The IOC declined to comment on any potential investigation, reiterating that all complaints submitted to its Ethics Commission remain confidential unless disciplinary sanctions are imposed.