The Norwegian Football Federation is weighing a formal complaint to Fifa’s ethics committee regarding the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban during the World Cup.

United States forward Balogun was anticipated to miss his team’s last-16 match against Belgium after receiving a straight red card in their 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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However, following a call from US President Donald Trump, the one-match ban was suspended for 12 months. No specific reason was provided, other than referencing a rule that allows for the suspension of penalties.

Balogun started the match, which Belgium ultimately won 4-1.

In a statement to the BBC, NFF president Lise Klaveness expressed that the federation had reacted with “strong concern” and that a decision on whether to proceed with a complaint would be discussed at the upcoming board meeting.

The federation has already filed a complaint regarding Fifa’s first Peace Prize awarded to President Trump.

“It is appropriate to include the Balogun case in the inquiry to Fifa’s ethics committee that we initiated before the World Cup concerning Fifa’s so-called peace prize awarded during the draw in Washington last Christmas,” Klaveness stated.

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This statement came in the wake of reports suggesting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may also investigate Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020.

Section two of the Olympic charter asserts: “Members of the IOC will not accept from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote.”

In response to a BBC inquiry, the IOC released a statement indicating that “complaints to the IOC ethics commission are confidential. The IOC will therefore not make any public announcement about whether a complaint has been submitted or not by an external party. The IOC will only communicate sanctions if the ethics commission decides to impose any.”

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Why was Balogun allowed to play?

Despite receiving a straight red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun remained eligible to participate in the United States’ match against Belgium.

His reinstatement followed a conversation between Trump and Infantino, with the US president later declaring that Fifa had made a “great decision.”

Infantino has asserted that Fifa’s judicial bodies operate independently.

At a press conference in the Oval Office on July 6, Trump mentioned, “I spoke to Gianni. I watched the play, and I understand sports well; that wasn’t a foul.”

“Yes, I requested a review by Fifa. I spoke with a highly respected individual. I asked for a review because I didn’t consider it a foul. I didn’t direct him on what to do; I can’t dictate his actions.”

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The Royal Belgian Football Federation expressed “deep concern” over the unfolding events and stated it would “fight for the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the overall interests of football.”

Fifa deemed Belgium’s request for clarification on Balogun’s suspended red card as “inadmissible,” effectively denying grounds for an appeal.

Uefa, the governing body of European football, stated that Fifa’s actions had “crossed a red line,” labeling the decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible, and unjustifiable.”