The Norwegian Football Federation will file a complaint with FIFA's Ethics Committee following Donald Trump's intervention which preceded the lifting of a suspension against American striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, federation president Lise Klaveness announced on Thursday.

"When you circumvent a rule like this, you embark on a slippery slope that will put the whole of football at risk. Questioning its fundamental rules is a threat to the sport," Ms. Klaveness stressed in an interview with The Times.

"First of all, this should never have happened. It is now essential to have honest communication about this. We all know that this verdict was influenced by outside forces and that it did not follow the proper procedure," the 45-year-old lawyer continued.

"We need the FIFA leader to recognize that this is a mistake," added the president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), who had already been the only one to formally protest against the "Peace Prize" awarded by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the American president last December.

"This case is so serious and so concerning that I hope it will help encourage people to come forward more and not be afraid to report such cases," added Ms. Klaveness, who has headed the NFF since 2022.

She also told the Times that she was "disappointed but not necessarily surprised" by FIFA's lack of transparency in this matter and by the fact that it did not publish the full judgment explaining its decision.

"Trying to sweep this under the rug now won't work," she insisted again. "Too many people felt—coaches, players, fans—that it had too much to do with football."

Sent off during the round of 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Folarin Balogun had his suspension for the round of 16 against Belgium commuted to "a one-match suspended sentence, with a one-year probationary period" by the FIFA disciplinary committee.

This decision came after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card, which he felt was unjustified. Mr. Infantino stated that he had replied that FIFA's governing bodies were "independent."

Despite Balogun's presence, Belgium ultimately defeated the United States 4-1.