Norwegian Football Association president Lise Klaveness is confronting FIFA's responsibility for worker safety and demanding structural reforms within the global governing body. This comes at a critical moment for Norway's national teams, with a decisive World Cup qualifying playoff against Wales at home on November 14 as the next major hurdle.

Klaveness, a former midfielder with 73 caps for Norway, is demanding FIFA establish mechanisms for financial compensation to families of workers injured or killed ahead of the Qatar World Cup. She also wants new practices in place before Euro 2028 and the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. “We will at least try to be a spearhead,” Klaveness said. The federation president plans to submit concrete proposals at the next FIFA congress.

Her advocacy for reform has been ongoing since she first raised the issue of remedy at the FIFA congress in 2022. A review she prompted found FIFA had a responsibility to provide compensation but chose not to redirect funds. Now she wants such schemes to apply to all organisers and competitions, with funds set aside in advance and clear mechanisms for distribution.

Norway face Wales in decisive playoff

The fight for justice at the top level runs parallel to a key sporting battle for Norway. The national team has lost its last three matches, including a 2-1 defeat away to Wales on October 1. In that match, Oscar Bobb scored early, but goals from Daniel James and Neco Williams turned the game around. The most recent result was a 2-1 loss to Portugal on October 4, with Kristoffer Ajer scoring Norway's goal.

This has put the team under pressure in qualification. With a record of one win and three losses in its last four matches, the home game against Wales on November 14 is absolutely decisive for World Cup hopes. Top scorer this season, Erling Haaland, has seven goals in five appearances and will be a key figure in turning the tide.

Klaveness, who spent seven weeks on the road with the men's team during the World Cup experience in the US this year, has unique insight into both the sporting and administrative sides. She has ruled out running for FIFA president herself but believes there are candidates who can challenge incumbent Gianni Infantino before the November 18 nomination deadline. She stresses it is about the governance system and not individuals, and that football must be for everyone, which inevitably creates conflict.

Her work comes at a time when trust in governance outside Europe is low and Infantino is expected to be re-elected next year. Klaveness will nonetheless push for changes that ensure future tournaments do not leave human casualties without redress. She also wants to discuss who can have a platform to win the election, emphasising the importance of a candidate who can actually win.

Norway's next step on the pitch is clear: a must-win home game against Wales in two weeks. Simultaneously, the federation president is preparing to table her historic proposals for a more accountable FIFA at the international congress.

The original report is at theguardian.com