Scandal over decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card at the World Cup continues, with Norway ready to take on FIFA
FIFA under pressure over Donald Trump’s intervention in Folarin Balogun’s suspension (Image: Alex Pantling/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA has been asked to admit wrongdoing over its decision to revoke Folarin Balogun’s red card at the World Cup, and Norway plans to lodge a formal complaint.
U.S. President Donald Trump admitted to intervening in the process, and although Balogun was sent off in the previous game’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was able to play for the U.S. team in the last-16 match against Belgium.
President Trump praised FIFA for “reversing a great injustice,” but his involvement led to accusations that the world soccer governing body had violated its political neutrality rules. The US president called FIFA president Gianni Infantino directly to discuss the issue, but Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klavenes said this should not have happened.
Clavenes previously complained that FIFA awarded the first Peace Prize to Trump, calling the Balogun incident “very serious and worrying.” “Trying to cover up this issue right now is not going to work,” she said.
“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,” Craveness told the Times.
“First of all, this should not have happened. It’s critical that we have honest communication on this matter right now. We all know that this judgment was influenced by outside forces and there was no due process.”
“We need the leadership of FIFA to say this was a mistake. When you start adapting like that 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. And that’s what happened.”
Folarin Balogun’s red card overturned (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Mr. Clavenes plans to add Balogun’s example to the list of complaints about the Peace Prize, if supported by the board. If all goes well, it will then be referred to FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee to investigate any possible violations.
The decision to revoke Balogun’s suspension was reportedly taken by FIFA Disciplinary Committee Chairman Mohammad Al Kamali without consulting other members.
Infantino was forced to issue a statement explaining FIFA’s process and his discussions with Trump during the controversy.
“FIFA’s judicial body is independent,” he said. “They act autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football and this must be respected at all times.”
“All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say it had to be done,” Trump explained at the time. “This guy is a smart, tough guy, Gianni Infantino. He’s a smart, tough guy. His stock is through the roof because what he’s done is incredible. We feel like we’ve got to have all the best players on the field.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
