Trump's role in red-card dispute irks Norway | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Trump’s role in a World Cup red-card dispute is drawing scrutiny, with Norway’s soccer federation preparing a formal complaint to FIFA ethics investigators. The federation said its board of directors will consider filing the complaint at its next meeting, expected around Aug. 6, after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened to defer a mandatory one-game ban for Folarin Balogun. Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness told The Times that FIFA should acknowledge the decision as a mistake. After Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Balogun’s ban for a red-card tackle against Bosnia-Herzegovina was postponed so he could play against Belgium in a match for a quarterfinal spot. Belgium beat the U.S. 4-1 after a chaotic 36 hours. Klaveness said the ruling was unprecedented in 60 years, arguing it was influenced by external forces. Norway previously backed a London NGO complaint alleging Infantino breached political neutrality, and a rights NGO, FairSquare, also filed an ethics complaint with the International Olympic Committee.