Norway’s Football Federation (NFF) is doing something that tends to make international governing bodies deeply uncomfortable: holding them to their own rulebook. Under the leadership of president Lise Klaveness, the NFF is spearheading a campaign to suspend the Israel Football Association from FIFA, citing the organization’s existing statutes on discrimination and human rights violations.
What’s actually happening
The campaign traces its roots to 2024, when the Palestinian Football Association issued a formal request to FIFA calling for Israel’s suspension. That request pointed to alleged human rights violations in Gaza and discrimination against Palestinian athletes.
Klaveness, who became NFF president in 2021, has been championing the cause since early 2025. Her approach is notably specific. Rather than advocating for a broad boycott of Israeli football, she’s pushing FIFA to enforce its own existing rules against discrimination and human rights abuses.
The NFF has backed up its words with action. During a World Cup qualifier against Israel in October 2025, the federation donated all ticket revenues, totaling approximately 5,000 Norwegian Krone (roughly $185,500), to Gaza medical relief efforts.
