There was considerable drama when FIFA suspended the ban imposed on American striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup finals. U.S. President Donald Trump played a role in the decision, later openly stating that he had asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider the suspension.
Now, the matter appears to be taking a new turn. Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation, has announced that the federation intend to file a complaint with FIFA regarding the controversial case in an interview with "The Times"
"When you bend a rule like this, you head down a slippery slope that puts the entire game at risk. It is a concern for football when fundamental rules of the game are compromised."
"First and foremost, this should not have happened. It is crucial now to have honest communication about it. We all know that this decision was influenced by external forces and did not follow the proper process. We need FIFA to acknowledge that this was a mistake.
"If you start adapting in this way to heads of state and state politics, you alter your own behavior and that of the organization—and you also shift the boundaries regarding what heads of state should interfere in. And that is what happened", says Lise Klaveness.
At the same time, Lise Klaveness emphasizes that the issue is not just about this specific case, but about the principles behind the decision.
"When you make controversial decisions—especially when a powerful external voice has been whispering in your ear—it is vital that the decision is made by multiple voices. If that doesn't happen, it is a mistake."
"This case was so serious and concerning that I hope it encourages people to step forward and not be afraid to raise issues. I intend to bring this up at a board meeting and discuss it with my board, and then we will take action. To me, this falls into the same category as an ethics complaint."
"Trying to sweep this under the rug now won't work. Far too many people—coaches, players, and fans alike—felt that this encroached too far upon the game itself."