1 hr ago
Norway Files Two FIFA Complaints Against President Gianni Infantino
Norway’s football federation has made two formal complaints to FIFA.
It wants FIFA committees to examine three decisions and events involving FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
These include a plan to let private investors put money into a FIFA-related company.
They also include FIFA lifting a suspension for player Folarin Balogun and giving a Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump.
Norway’s federation says the cases raise questions about how FIFA is run and whether rules were followed.
FIFA has not been reported as accepting that wrongdoing occurred.
UEFA has criticized FIFA’s proposed investment plan and is seeking related documents through a court.
FIFA says UEFA is trying to spread misinformation and influence the next presidential election.
The Norwegian Football Federation filed complaints with FIFA’s Ethics Committee and Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee.
The filings ask FIFA to examine possible ethics breaches and the organization’s governance and internal controls.
The complaints concern a proposed private-investment plan, the lifting of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension, and FIFA’s Peace Prize for Donald Trump.
NFF president Lise Klaveness says the cases raise questions about transparency, conflicts of interest, abuse of position, and political neutrality.
FIFA accused UEFA of a misinformation campaign and trying to influence the election; UEFA has criticized the proposed investment plan and sought related documents in court.
- Who
- The Norwegian Football Federation filed the complaints; they concern FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other individuals who may be identified.
- What
- Two complaints ask FIFA committees to examine possible ethics breaches and FIFA’s governance and oversight.
- Where
- The complaints were filed with FIFA committees; UEFA is seeking documents through a court in Florida.
- When
- The first filing was made on Tuesday; the article says Infantino plans to seek re-election next March and gives November 18 as the candidacy deadline.
- Why
- The NFF wants scrutiny of three matters it says raise questions about potential conflicts of interest, abuse of position, political neutrality, and governance.
Critics’ concerns
FIFA’s response
Governance and conduct
Critics’ concerns
The NFF says the three cases warrant examination for possible ethics breaches, conflicts of interest, abuse of position, and questions about political neutrality and governance.
FIFA’s response
The article does not report a direct response from Infantino to the complaints; FIFA has not been reported as conceding that rules were breached.
FIFA Forward Enterprise plan
Critics’ concerns
UEFA called the proposed private-investment arrangement a “shady and opaque backroom deal,” and the NFF says it raises governance concerns.
FIFA’s response
FIFA responded to UEFA’s actions by accusing it of a “misinformation campaign” and attempting to influence the election.
FIFA presidential election
Critics’ concerns
Klaveness has called for Infantino to resign and not seek a fourth term; UEFA and some of its members have criticized or withdrawn support for him.
FIFA’s response
Infantino has said he will seek re-election, while FIFA accused UEFA of trying to influence the contest.
Key facts
- Filing organization
- Norwegian Football Federation (NFF)
- Complaints filed with
- FIFA Ethics Committee and FIFA Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee
- Issues under scrutiny
- FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, Folarin Balogun’s suspension being lifted, and FIFA’s Peace Prize for Donald Trump
- NFF president
- Lise Klaveness
- Infantino’s first election
- 2016
- FIFA membership votes
- Infantino needs a majority of 211 member votes to be re-elected, according to the article.
- Candidacy deadline
- November 18
Quotes
Lise Klaveness
President of the Norwegian Football Federation and former international footballer
“These are three very different factual cases, but they all have something in common that we want examined.”
deccanchronicle.com
“There is a line between all these three cases and it's the same political regime.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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