The last has not been heard about United States striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension, as the Norwegian Football Federation is considering filing a formal complaint to FIFA’s Ethics Committee.
United States forward Balogun was set to miss his team’s round of 16 game against Belgium after receiving a straight red card in the 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
However, after intervention by US President Donald Trump, the suspension of one match was put on hold for 12 months. No reason was given except to refer to a rule which allows punishments to be suspended.
Balogun was in the action as Belgium beat 4-1.
NFF president Lise Klaveness told the BBC the federation had reacted with “strong concern” and a decision would be made at its next board meeting as to whether or not to make a complaint.
The federation had already complained about the first Fifa Peace Prize going to President Trump.
The statement follows reports that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may also investigate Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino is an IOC member since 2020.
“It is appropriate to include the Balogun case in the inquiry to Fifa’s ethics committee that we made before the World Cup regarding Fifa’s so-called peace prize award during the draw in Washington before Christmas last year,” Klaveness said.
Section two of the Olympic charter states: “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 request, the IOC issued a statement saying: “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 should the ethics commission decide to impose some.”
