Norway men’s national soccer team coach Ståle Solbakken said FIFA's decision to reverse a red-card suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is about the organization.
The controversy centers on whether political influence affected the rules of the game. Because the reversal followed a request from a former U.S. president, it raises questions about the neutrality of soccer's governing body during a global tournament.
FIFA reversed a mandatory one-game suspension [1] for Balogun after former U.S. President Donald Trump asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the decision [2], [3]. Trump said he asked Infantino to review the decision but did not tell him what to do [4].
Solbakken said the focus should remain on the governing body rather than the individual who prompted the review. "It's not about Donald Trump, it's about FIFA," Solbakken said [5]. He said that FIFA is making a big mistake by reinstating Balogun [6].
The decision has drawn criticism beyond the Norway camp. UEFA said FIFA "crossed a red line" with its decision, suggesting that external pressure played a role in the reversal [3].
This dispute occurs as the 2026 World Cup expands to feature 48 teams [7]. The increased scale of the tournament brings heightened scrutiny to the consistency of disciplinary actions across different national teams.
Solbakken's comments highlight a tension between the strict application of tournament rules and the diplomatic pressures facing FIFA leadership. The coach said that such reversals damage the overall credibility of the competition.
“"It's not about Donald Trump, it's about FIFA."”
The reversal of a mandatory suspension based on a request from a political figure creates a perceived double standard in tournament officiating. If FIFA is seen as susceptible to political influence, it undermines the 'universal' nature of the Laws of the Game, potentially leading to further protests from other member nations and governing bodies like UEFA.
