Norwegian FA backs formal FIFA Ethics complaint over Infantino’s award of Peace Prize to Trump
June 3 – The Norwegian FA (NFF) has confirmed it is backing an official complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino over an alleged breach of political neutrality rules.
The NFF’s letter backs the complaint by NGO FairSquare to the FIFA ethics committee, demanding an investigation over alleged breaches of neutrality by Infantino.
Speaking at a press conference, Lise Klaveness, the chair of the NFF, confirmed that the NFF’s letter of support had been officially submitted.
“We have sent it, and it is causing some political reactions,” said Klaveness. “But it is sent, and that is checked off. We will follow up, push forward, request meetings, and build momentum on this as soon as the World Cup is over.”
Klaveness has previously demanded that FIFA scrap the Peace Prize award to protect the organisation’s political neutrality. At the last World Cup draw in December, Infantino awarded the prize to US President Donald Trump.
Article 15 of the FIFA Code of Ethics enshrines the duty of neutrality for football officials, including the FIFA president. The article’s first paragraph reads: “In dealings with government institutions, national and international organisations, associations and groupings, persons bound by this Code shall, in addition to observing the basic rules of article 14, remain politically neutral, in accordance with the principles and objectives of FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues and clubs, and generally act in a manner compatible with their function and integrity.”
“There is no doubt that the letter is perceived as problematic when it comes from a member association,” Klaveness said. “But it was a good meeting, and we had constructive discussions about why it is perceived as problematic, and why it is important for Norway to support FairSquare in this matter.”
Last weekend, the NFF met with FIFA on the sidelines of the Champions League final.
The NFF did not get other member associations to commit – even though they count Germany, the Netherlands and England as their close allies. After the 2022 World Cup, the German FA and its president Bernd Neuendorf, a FIFA Council member, have fallen into political line with FIFA’s president and executive. The Germans, the largest FA in the world, have often argued that they don’t want to be isolated.
The Germans were part of a thee-country bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup that was eventually won controversially by Brazil’s bid.
“We have received support from other federations, but we are sending this letter alone,” Klaveness said.
FIFA and its boss Infantino have repeatedly doubled down on awarding the Peace Prize. At the Fifa Congress in Vancouver, Infantino refused to comment when asked by this reporter if he would heed Norway’s call to abolish his own peace prize.
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