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The Norwegian Football Federation is considering submitting a formal complaint to FIFA's ethics committee following the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic one match ban during the FIFA World Cup.
United States striker Balogun had been expected to miss his country's round of 16 clash against Belgium after receiving a straight red card in the Americans' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, FIFA later suspended the ban for 12 months, allowing him to feature in the knockout match despite offering no detailed explanation beyond citing regulations that permit sanctions to be suspended.
Balogun started the match against Belgium, with the United States suffering a 4-1 defeat.
In a statement shared with the BBC, Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness said the organisation viewed the decision with "strong concern" and confirmed that its board would decide at its next meeting whether to pursue a formal complaint.
Norway has already lodged a separate complaint with FIFA's ethics committee over the decision to award the organisation's inaugural Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump.
Klaveness said the Balogun case could now be added to that existing complaint, which relates to the presentation of the award during the World Cup draw in Washington before Christmas last year.
The latest developments also come amid reports that the International Olympic Committee may examine the conduct of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020, and the Olympic Charter states that committee members must not accept instructions from governments or outside organisations that could influence their independence or decision making.
Responding to questions from the BBC, the IOC said any complaints submitted to its ethics commission remain confidential. It added that it would only make public any sanctions if the commission ultimately decided disciplinary action was necessary.
Balogun's availability followed a phone conversation between President Trump and Infantino. Trump later praised FIFA's decision and claimed he had requested a review because he believed the challenge that led to the red card was not a foul. He insisted, however, that he had not instructed Infantino on what action to take.
Belgium's football federation described the sequence of events as deeply concerning and vowed to defend the principles of sporting integrity and fair competition. FIFA later ruled Belgium's request for an explanation inadmissible, while UEFA criticised the decision, calling it unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.
