Norwegian Football Federation Files Two Complaints Against Infantino

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the Swiss official besieged by criticism, faces allegations of potential abuse of power and conflicts of interest after the Norwegian Football Federation filed two formal complaints with two committees affiliated with FIFA.

The complaints center on three issues: Infantino’s plan, which was abandoned, to open the World Cup to private-sector investors; the lifting of the suspension of American star Folarin Balogun for the 2026 World Cup following intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump; and FIFA’s awarding of the so-called “Peace Prize” to Trump.

The first complaint calls on FIFA’s Ethics Committee to examine the conduct of Infantino and any other individuals identified by the investigation, regarding potential violations of FIFA’s Code of Ethics. The second complaint is addressed to FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee, urging an inquiry into whether FIFA’s governance system, financial oversight, internal controls, and decision-making processes functioned as intended.

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, known for her bluntness and long-standing criticism of Infantino, told Britain’s The Times that Trump is the common denominator linking the three issues.

The failed “FIFA Forward Enterprise” plan was intended to make the venture capital firm owned by Josh Kushner, brother of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, the primary investor. Infantino’s plan, launched in July shortly after this year’s World Cup hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, would have allowed private investors to purchase stakes in a company created under the “FIFA Forward Enterprise” initiative. A wave of protests following the announcement led to Infantino’s retreat within days.

Klaveness told the newspaper: “FIFA Forward Enterprise is a governance issue, but it is linked to the other two cases due to the potential for conflicts of interest and abuse of office.” She added: “There is a thread connecting these three issues: the political system itself.”

Balogun received a red card in the 32nd round of the World Cup victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which automatically suspended him from the match against Belgium. However, FIFA lifted his suspension, sparking widespread condemnation, especially after it emerged that Trump had intervened via a phone call to Infantino.

Infantino’s awarding of the “FIFA Peace Prize” to Trump in December was also met with broad criticism. Klaveness said: “These are three very different issues in terms of facts, but they all share a common element that we want to be investigated.”