Norway call for Infantino to admit wrongdoing in red card saga

The Folarin Balogun red card saga is not going to simply disappear with the Norwegian FA poised to make an official complaint to the FIFA ethics Committee over Donald Trump's intervention.

According to The Times, Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) will add the president's phone call to ensure the USA striker could play against Belgium to a prior complaint they made over the FIFA Peace Prize award.

Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and should have missed the USA’s round of 16 clash, but thanks to a call from Trump, Infantino and his board allowed the star to play.

“When you bend a rule like this, you’re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk," Klaveness told The Times. "It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.

“First of all, it should not have happened. It is very important now to have honest communication around it. We all know that this verdict was influenced from external forces and did not have the proper process.

“If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation’s behaviour, and also the red line of what states’ leaders should interfere with. And that happened.

“This case was so serious and so worrying that I hope that it might contribute to bring people out a little bit and don’t fear to bring up cases. I will bring it to a board meeting and discuss with my board, and then we do it. To me, it should be in the same sphere of ethical complaint.”

In a surprising turn of events, the Spanish player that was attacked by his Argentine rival after the World Cup final has leapt to his aggressor’s defence pleading for leniency when it comes to sanctions.

After the final whistle was blown and Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA world champions, absolute chaos erupted with Leandro Paredes instigating diabolical scenes as he grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat and pushed Gavi to the floor.

Argentina’s Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the torso as he ran on to celebrate with his Spanish teammates and Argentina’s backroom staff were also involved in the fight.

Afterwards, Argentina players turned their backs to Spain as they lifted the trophy, with experts and former players around the world slamming their disrespect and poor sportsmanship.

An investigation into the South American side’s behaviour has since been launched by FIFA, but breaking his silence on what happened, Gavi has called for leniency.

“I understand it's not a good image for children, but I think there's also that side to football, which is a bit more physical, more aggressive.

“The most logical thing would have been to send him off during the match, and that's it. In the end, I think it's all football, and it has to be that way.”

The USA striker was sent off against Bosnia and should have missed the USA’s round of 16 clash with Belgium, but thanks to a call from Donald Trump, Infantino and his board allowed the star to play.

Asked by La Gazzzetta dello Sport if Infantino had to go, Tebas said: “In my opinion, yes, I think his time is up.

“However, he has the support of the system and the federations, so there's not much more to add, is there? There's no opposition candidate, nobody wants to stand just to lose. This is the system and it's rotten at its core.

"He shouldn't stay, but he won't leave. I've heard many people who are against Infantino. They say it, but then they do nothing. I don't know what's worse, the silence or the complicity, because those who stay silent are perfectly aware of the damage football is suffering.

“The suspension of the American player’s ban is an extremely serious matter. They were lucky that Belgium eliminated the US because otherwise a case could have arisen that might have cost Infantino his job.

The London club have also confirmed the signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a reported £117 million (AUD$223m).

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