The Royal Belgian Football Association, RBFA, has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, citing concerns over the handling of Folarin Balogun red card reversal during the 2026 World Cup and FIFA’s plans to invite private investment into future World Cups.
The Belgian football body announced its decision in a statement on Monday, expressing regret over what it described as a lack of transparency surrounding both issues. The RBFA said it could not continue supporting Infantino amid unanswered questions about FIFA’s decision-making processes.
The dispute over Balogun began during the 2026 World Cup after FIFA reversed the suspension imposed on the United States forward ahead of the crucial round-of-16 meeting with Belgium.
The decision attracted attention after United States President Donald Trump publicly thanked FIFA for overturning the suspension.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
US Soccer also welcomed the decision, confirming that it had accepted the ruling of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee and was pleased that Balogun was eligible to play in the knockout fixture.
However, the RBFA challenged FIFA’s decision, arguing that the reversal lacked sufficient transparency and justification. Its appeal was subsequently deemed “inadmissible” by the FIFA Appeal Committee.
The Belgian federation accused FIFA of breaching its regulations by failing to provide adequate explanations for the decision. In its latest statement, the RBFA said it had “not yet received any satisfactory response” to its concerns.
Also Read: Infantino confirms bid for fourth FIFA presidential term
The Belgian federation has now asked FIFA to place the Balogun case on the agenda of the next FIFA Council meeting scheduled for October 15.
RBFA president Pascale Van Damme said the federation remained in contact with FIFA but that important questions had yet to be answered.
“Given the importance of transparency and clarity for all parties involved, we request the necessary explanations and, at the same time, wish to explore where improvements to the current processes are possible,” she said.
The RBFA also pointed to FIFA’s plans to attract private investment into future World Cups as another reason for withdrawing its support for Infantino.
The federation specifically highlighted FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary created to invite private investment into the World Cup.
Belgium said the initiative raised “questions regarding the transparency and governance of this process”.
Infantino’s proposed plan to sell stakes in future World Championships to private investors has already faced opposition from several national football associations and regional confederations.
Although the FIFA president eventually abandoned the broader investment plan amid mounting pressure and criticism, the controversy has continued to affect his relationship with some members of the football community.
FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Infantino intends to seek re-election for a fourth term as president at the organisation’s March 2027 vote.
The 56-year-old has faced growing criticism since announcing his investment plans earlier this year, with several football associations and confederations distancing themselves from the proposal.
Belgium said it remained in close contact with UEFA, European football’s governing body, over both the Balogun case and FIFA’s investment plans.
The RBFA said it would continue to push for greater transparency in FIFA’s decision-making and called for clear safeguards to protect the credibility and governance of international football.
“It is essential that such cases are handled in a transparent and rigorous manner, in the interests of FIFA, good governance and the credibility of international football, with clear safeguards for the future,” the federation said.
Al Jazeera
