FIFA’s corridors are facing fresh scrutiny after Norway escalated its challenge to Gianni Infantino, filing two formal complaints over decisions ranging from a proposed commercial venture to the treatment of a player suspension during the World Cup.
Key takeaways
- The Norwegian Football Federation has submitted separate complaints to FIFA’s Ethics Committee and Audit and Compliance Committee.
- Norway wants an investigation into possible breaches of FIFA’s ethics rules by Gianni Infantino and other identified individuals.
- The complaints cite three cases: Donald Trump’s FIFA “Peace Prize”, Folarin Balogun’s overturned World Cup ban, and the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan.
- FIFA Forward Enterprise, which could have allowed private investment in the World Cup, was dropped after resistance including from UEFA.
- Norway argues that the three episodes point to a repeated misuse of FIFA authority and influence.
Norway presses FIFA’s oversight bodies
The Norwegian Football Federation, led by president Lise Klaveness, lodged its first case with FIFA’s Ethics Committee after signalling the move in early August. It asks the body to examine Infantino’s conduct, along with that of other named people, for potential violations of FIFA’s ethical code.
The committee had already received a complaint in early July from British non-governmental organisation FairSquare. Norway has now added its own challenge as the most prominent national association opposing the FIFA president’s recent actions.
Its second submission has been sent to FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee. Norway has asked for a review of whether FIFA followed proper standards in governance, financial supervision, internal controls and decision-making procedures.
Three decisions at the centre of the dispute
Norway’s complaints focus on three separate episodes. The first concerns the presentation of FIFA’s “Peace Prize” to Donald Trump last December. The second relates to the withdrawal of a suspension imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.
The third is the FIFA Forward Enterprise project, known as FFE. The proposal envisaged creating a commercial company that would be accessible to private investors and was intended, among other aims, to open the World Cup to outside investment. It was ultimately abandoned following widespread objections, with UEFA among those resisting the plan.
For the Norwegian federation, these matters are connected by what it sees as a recurring pattern: the improper use of FIFA’s power and influence.
Infantino is confronting a broader governance crisis and criticism from several football leaders. At the end of September, he proposed a consultation with member associations on reforming FIFA’s operations, while preparing to seek another term as president in March.
