The Norwegian Football Federation has done what most of European football has only whispered about — they've put it in writing. NFF President Lise Klaveness confirmed the federation has formally submitted a letter backing a complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino for alleged breaches of the political neutrality clause in FIFA's Code of Ethics.
The original complaint was filed in December by advocacy group FairSquare, citing four specific instances where Infantino publicly endorsed Donald Trump's actions and policies. It also calls on FIFA's Ethics Committee to investigate the creation of the FIFA Peace Prize and the decision to hand it to Trump on December 5th — a ceremony that raised eyebrows across the football world, not least because the prize was announced just weeks after Trump's Nobel Peace Prize bid quietly came to nothing.
Norway didn't blink — and FIFA noticed
Klaveness was direct at a press conference ahead of Norway's travel to the US for this summer's World Cup. "We have sent it, and it is causing some political reactions. But it is sent, and that is checked off."
She also confirmed that FIFA officials were made aware of the letter during a recent meeting in Budapest, held alongside the UEFA Champions League Final. The reaction inside that room apparently made clear just how uncomfortable this kind of pressure is for FIFA's leadership when it comes from a member association — not an outside group, but one of their own.
That distinction matters. FairSquare filing a complaint is easy to ignore. A national federation co-signing it is a different kind of problem.
The NFF sent the letter alone — deliberately, Klaveness said, to avoid putting other federations in an uncomfortable position. That didn't stop others from offering quiet support. "We have received support from other federations, but we are sending this letter alone," she said. The subtext is obvious: sympathy is cheap, signatures are not.
The Peace Prize that lit the fuse
Infantino's relationship with Trump has been visible for a while — White House visits, attendance at Trump's inauguration, presence at the America Business Forum in Miami. But awarding Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw was the moment that shifted this from awkward optics to something with formal consequences.
"I was honoured and delighted to present the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize... to United States President Donald J. Trump for his unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world," Infantino wrote on social media at the time.
Klaveness had already called for the prize to be abolished. Now Norway has gone further. FIFA has not responded to the letter.
Klaveness said the NFF plans to "push forward, request meetings, and build momentum" once the World Cup concludes. Whether that momentum goes anywhere depends on how many of those quietly supportive federations are willing to stop being quiet.
