The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) will make a formal complaint to FIFA over the controversial decision to suspend the one-match ban handed to U.S. men’s national team’s Folarin Balogun, which was allegedly influenced by contact from the White House and President Donald Trump.
Balogun was sent off after accidentally raking his studs down the Achilles of Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemović, in an action that was deemed by the officials to constitute serious foul play. World Cup rules stated the USMNT had no grounds to appeal Balogun’s suspension—which FIFA confirmed postmatch—but a dramatic U-turn was made after a call from Trump, which allowed Balogun to face Belgium in the round of 16.
