FIFA is reportedly ready to take formal charges against Donald Trump over his involvement in the Folarin Balogun saga during the World Cup. Balogun was the subject of the tournament’s biggest controversy when the American striker was sent off in the second round against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this case, he would have received a one-match suspension and would have been excluded from the subsequent Round of 16 match against Belgium.
However, because of President Trump’s behind-the-scenes pressure on FIFA, the suspension was suspended for one year. He personally called Gianni Infantino and requested that Balogun be considered eligible to play against Belgium. President Trump also asked an expert team of White House allies and lawyers to file a lawsuit with the national governing body, US Soccer.
It has since emerged that the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) plans to complain about the Balogun saga, which has sparked outrage across the football world and has not been quietly forgotten.
They will seek an explanation from FIFA’s ethics committee, with NFF president Lise Klavenes warning against attempts to cover up the scandal.
“Bending the rules in this way puts you on a slippery slope that puts the whole game at risk. Violating the fundamental rules of the game is worrying for the game,” he told the Times.
“First of all, this should not have happened. It is very important that we communicate honestly about this matter now. We all know that this judgment was influenced by outside forces and there was no due process.
“We need FIFA leaders to say this was a mistake. When you start making that adjustment to state leaders and state politics, you’re going to change the lines of what you do, what your organization does, and what state leaders are allowed to interfere with.”
Norway had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw in December, saying it violated its rules on political neutrality.
Craveness, a qualified lawyer, added: “When you’re making a controversial decision, and you’re hearing very powerful voices from outside, it’s very important to get more voices[making the decision]and if you don’t, you’re wrong.”
“This incident was very serious and worrying, so I hope it can help bring some light to people and make them not be afraid to take legal action.
“I’m going to bring it to the board and discuss it with the board and then do it. To me, it should be in the same realm as an ethics complaint.”
“Trying to cover this up now won’t work. Coaches, players, fans, too many felt this was too close to a game.”
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