Infantino faces FIFA ethics complaints from Norway over Trump-linked controversies

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino faces new scrutiny as Norway’s football federation files complaints over three Trump-related controversies. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is facing fresh scrutiny after the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) filed formal complaints seeking an examination of his conduct over potential conflicts of interest and abuse of power.

The complaints concern three separate controversies: Infantino’s abandoned proposal to bring private investors into FIFA’s commercial operations, the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban following an intervention by US President Donald Trump, and FIFA’s decision to award Trump its Peace Prize.

The NFF has asked FIFA’s Ethics Committee to investigate whether Infantino, or others identified during any inquiry, breached the governing body’s Code of Ethics.

A separate submission to FIFA’s Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee seeks a review of whether the organisation’s financial oversight, internal controls and decision-making procedures operated properly.

NFF president Lise Klaveness said the three matters were different but raised broader questions about political neutrality, governance and the extent of the FIFA president’s powers.

Infantino faced criticism earlier this year over the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in a new commercial entity connected to FIFA competitions. The plan was withdrawn following strong opposition.

Further controversy followed during the World Cup when Balogun, sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was initially due to miss the United States’ next match against Belgium. FIFA later suspended the sanction after Trump contacted Infantino over the case.

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Norway has also sought scrutiny of Infantino’s relationship with Trump following FIFA’s decision to present the US president with its Peace Prize.

Klaveness has questioned whether the episodes involved an abuse of position or breaches of FIFA’s political neutrality requirements. She has also raised concerns over whether decisions that should fall under the FIFA Council had effectively been taken by the president.

The complaints add to the pressure on Infantino ahead of next year’s FIFA presidential election in Rabat.

Infantino, who was first elected in 2016, intends to seek another term, with candidates having until November 18 to enter the race.

Klaveness has ruled herself out of the contest, while UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also said he does not intend to run.

Infantino continues to retain support from several football confederations and national associations, although opposition to his leadership has grown following the collapse of the private-investment proposal.

Published on Oct 06, 2026

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