Balogun was shown a red card during the United States\u2019 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic suspension for the Round of 16 clash against Belgium. However, FIFA invoked Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code to suspend the one-match ban for a probationary period of one year, making the striker available for selection.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The decision sparked widespread criticism, particularly after reports claimed that US President Donald Trump had intervened by calling FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the sanction was lifted. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The NFF had already formally complained after Infantino awarded FIFA\u2019s inaugural Peace Prize to Trump. Klaveness now believes the Balogun episode should also be examined by FIFA\u2019s ethics committee. \u201cI 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,\u201d Klaveness told The Times.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Expressing concern over the implications of FIFA\u2019s decision, Klaveness said, \u201cWhen you bend a rule like this, you\u2019re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Klaveness also urged FIFA to publicly acknowledge the mistake. \u201cWe need our leader in FIFA to say that this was an error. If you start to adapt in such a way towards state leaders and state politics, you will move your behaviour and the organisation\u2019s behaviour, and also the red line of what states\u2019 leaders should interfere with,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Expressing concern over the implications of FIFA\u2019s decision, Klaveness said, \u201cWhen you bend a rule like this, you\u2019re on a slippery slope that will put the whole game at risk. It is a worry for the game when you compromise fundamental rules of the game.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Meanwhile, despite Balogun returning to the team, the USA failed to impress in the Round of 16 clash as they lost 4-1 and were knocked out of the home World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n