As the rain whips around Oslo’s government quarter, Lise Klaveness shields herself from the wind, trying to figure out her next move. “Of course we probably can’t do everything alone, but we have a voice, we have the right to speak, we have the right to suggest, so let’s see,” she says. “We will at least try to be a spearhead.”
The president of the Norwegian Football Federation wants to re-engage Fifa and other governing bodies on the topic of remedy. A somewhat obscure aspect of human rights policy in normal times, the importance of remedy became very clear after the World Cup in Qatar, when the families of those injured or killed in the work leading up to the tournament were left without financial compensation after Fifa chose to direct a legacy fund elsewhere.
At Klaveness’s urging, Fifa conducted a review of the process. The report ultimately found that the organisation did have a responsibility to provide remedy, but Fifa chose not to redirect the money. Klaveness wants to refocus attention on the topic and make sure new practices are in place for Euro 2028, co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, as well as the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, where labour movement sources suggest there is currently little to no external scrutiny of workers’ conditions.
She is doing so at a delicate moment. While Gianni Infantino has assured listeners that the “vast, vast majority” of Fifa’s electorate will back his re-election as president next year, many within the game see this as an opportunity for change. Klaveness is one of them, having been a thorn in Infantino’s side since she first raised the topic of remedy on the floor of the Fifa congress in 2022 and having called for him to resign this summer after the scandals of the Balogun red card and the Fifa Forward Enterprise fiasco.
The 45-year-old Klaveness has been mentioned as a possible candidate in the Fifa presidential election, earning a perhaps less than desirable endorsement from Sepp Blatter. The disgraced former president said Klaveness “deserved the utmost respect” and that “the time has come for a woman to take over the leadership.” Klaveness responded by recalling that Blatter “wanted us to play with shorter shorts.” Her position on a run for president today is to almost, if not entirely, rule it out.
“My name has come up a few times and I take it as a sign that [people are concerned] about governance because we have been very outspoken about governance,” she says. “We’ve had a role internationally that is not the most efficient way to get votes. I think we’ve been very outspoken so this time around I don’t think that would be a possibility for me and it’s not been a real subject for me either.”
Not quite a no, then, but whether she runs or not, Klaveness is a consistent champion for reform. She believes there are other candidates out there who could challenge Infantino and deliver change. She says it is crucial that any such individual is persuaded to stand before the deadline for nominations on 18 November. “It’s really important to have a candidate and one who can win,” she says. “We will welcome any candidate, but just putting up somebody who will lose is …” She shrugs. “I think it’s important to now discuss who can have a platform to win.
“There has been distrust, and not just in Europe, many other places than Europe,” she says of the challenge to Infantino.”Of course, it’s become very political, which is why I call it the Game of Thrones. Candidates need support from different confederations. We don’t know how seriously Infantino can be challenged until someone runs against him. But there are certainly people who could challenge him.”
On this day, at least, Klaveness is reluctant to make too many aggressive remarks about Infantino or Fifa. “People ask me about Infantino all the time, but it’s not about him,” she says. “For me, it’s about how governance moves forward. He was elected on a reform platform that we truly believed in, but it wasn’t really implemented, and that disappointed us.”
Klaveness says she wants any reforms around remedy to apply to all organizers and competitions. She talks about building alliances to support proposals that would ensure funds are set aside for remedy before a tournament takes place, and that mechanisms are established for how any money should be distributed. She wants to submit such proposals at the next Fifa congress. “It should also apply to Uefa and other bodies, but let’s start with Fifa, let’s start at the top. Now that governance is on everyone’s lips, let’s make this part of the suggestions we’ll bring to the congress, together or alone.”
Klaveness (fourth row, second left) joined the Norway men’s football team in a viking row on their homecoming in Oslo after their successful 2026 World Cup. Photograph: Trond R Teigen/EPA
Klaveness prefers a collaborative approach to finding solutions rather than deals struck behind closed doors. On Tuesday, the former midfielder, who earned 73 caps for Norway, made her case on remedy to a gathering of politicians commemorating the 50th anniversary of the OECD’s guidelines for ‘responsible business conduct’. No longer the lone voice speaking out on the conference floor, Klaveness has allies and a growing number of people who – at least in private – would claim to share her values. That she also presides over two successful national teams doesn’t hurt.
Norway’s women’s team faces a playoff against Wales to qualify for next year’s World Cup. The men, meanwhile, won hearts and matches in the US this year. Klaveness recalls the World Cup experience with some bemusement. “I was on the road for seven weeks with 65 men,” she says. “I also saw Erling Haaland with a dead raccoon. Football is many things – a sport, a competition, a cultural phenomenon. It’s also a social tool, but if we want the game to be for everyone, there will be conflict.” It won’t be long before that conflict resumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on Lise Klaveness and her statement that there are certainly people who can challenge Infantino
Beginner Questions
1 Who is Lise Klaveness
She is the president of the Norwegian Football Federation and a former professional player She is known for speaking out about human rights and good governance in football
2 Who is Gianni Infantino
He is the president of FIFA the international governing body of football He has held the role since 2016
3 What did Klaveness mean by there are certainly people who can challenge Infantino
She meant that Infantino should not be seen as unbeatable Other leaders in football could run against him or push for change
4 Why is this statement a big deal
FIFA presidents rarely face public calls for challengers Klaveness saying this openly signals that some football leaders want more competition and accountability at the top
5 When did she say this
She made the remark in a 2024 interview where she discussed FIFA leadership and the need for open debate in football
6 Is Klaveness running against Infantino herself
No She has not announced a campaign She was pointing out that others could step forward
7 What does challenging a FIFA president mean in practice
It means running for the presidency in an election or publicly pushing for reforms and alternative leadership
8 Why does FIFA leadership matter to ordinary fans
FIFA makes decisions that affect World Cups player rules money in the game and human rights Its leadership shapes football worldwide
Advanced Questions
9 What is the context behind her comment
Klaveness has criticized FIFA on issues like the 2022 Qatar World Cup and human rights Her comment came amid debate over whether FIFA leadership faces enough scrutiny
10 What are the benefits of having challengers to a FIFA president
Competition brings fresh ideas stronger accountability and debate over how football is run It can also reduce the risk of one person holding power too long
11 What are the common problems with challenging FIFA leadership
FIFA elections depend on votes from member associations and many are influenced by funding and politics Challengers often struggle to gain support and visibility
12 How is the FIFA president actually elected
Member associations
