Trump’s call forces ethics showdown for Infantino at World Cup

In a rare clash of sport and politics, US President Donald Trump phoned FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Sunday, urging a review of Folarin Balogun’s one‑match World Cup suspension, prompting the head of the Norwegian Football Association to demand Infantino appear before FIFA’s ethics committee.

Trump confirmed he called Infantino to ask that Balogun’s one‑match suspension be reconsidered before the ban was controversially suspended.

Lise Klaveness, former head of the Norwegian FA, said the president’s request crossed a ‘red line’. She told The Times, “When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk.”

Klaveness announced she will recommend an official complaint to the Norwegian Football Federation board.

She added that the verdict appeared influenced by external forces and lacked proper process, urging Infantino to acknowledge the error.

Klaveness also recalled her earlier criticism of Infantino’s decision to award Trump an inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, calling for the award’s abolition.

When The Independent asked FIFA about Trump’s involvement, a spokesperson pointed to the organisation’s disciplinary code, which permits sanctions to be suspended at the discretion of the judicial body.

The episode coincided with Trump presenting the World Cup trophy to Spain alongside Infantino on Sunday.