Norway files formal FIFA ethics complaints over Trump peace prize and World Cup deal

Parallel filings target FIFA leadership

The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) submitted two formal actions to FIFA bodies on Tuesday, initiating an examination of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the organization's governance practices. The first filing is a complaint submitted to the FIFA Ethics Committee, requesting that its investigatory chamber examine the conduct of Infantino and any other officials for potential violations of FIFA's Code of Ethics.

The second submission is a formal referral to FIFA's Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee. The federation requested that the compliance body evaluate whether internal decision-making processes, financial oversight, and structural controls functioned as required by internal regulations. The NFF stated that the actions represent a continuation of longstanding efforts to address governance and separation of powers within international football.

The purpose is to raise these issues formally with the appropriate bodies, to have them examined, relevant evidence obtained and accountability for the conclusions reached.

Three contested decisions behind the complaints

The NFF filings center on three specific decisions taken under Infantino's presidency, which the Norwegian federation characterized as an improper exercise of FIFA's authority and institutional influence. The first matter involves the FIFA Peace Prize, established in November and awarded to United States President Donald Trump during the World Cup draw in December. The Norwegian federation challenged whether the award bypassed the FIFA Council and compromised obligations concerning political neutrality.

The second issue involves the decision to lift a red card suspension for United States forward Folarin Balogun during the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. The third dispute focuses on the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise project announced in late July. Under that proposal, FIFA sought to sell a 20% minority stake in a new tournament-management entity to an investment consortium led by JP Morgan and Joshua Kushner's Thrive Eternal for $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion). FIFA withdrew the commercial plan within days following opposition from governing bodies, including UEFA.

The first filing is a complaint to the FIFA Ethics Committee. It asks the Ethics Committee to examine the conduct of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and any other individuals identified through the investigation for potential breaches of FIFA's Code of Ethics.

Opposition led by Norwegian federation

The filings follow years of criticism from NFF President Lise Klaveness, who previously challenged FIFA leadership regarding transparency and the treatment of migrant workers during stadium construction for the Qatar World Cup. Klaveness called for the elimination of the Peace Prize in April, following an earlier ethics complaint submitted in December by the British advocacy organization FairSquare. In July, Klaveness confirmed Norway's intent to challenge the handling of the Balogun disciplinary ruling.

The complaints arrive ahead of a scheduled FIFA Council meeting on 15 October in Zurich, Switzerland. Infantino, who is seeking re-election to another term as FIFA president in March, proposed a consultation process with member associations two weeks ago to discuss internal structural reforms.