Belgium withholds support for Infantino over Balogun red-card controversy

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, demanding greater transparency over the handling of Folarin Balogun’s controversial red-card suspension at the 2026 World Cup.

The Belgian federation said on Monday that it could not back Infantino’s re-election unless FIFA provides satisfactory answers to its concerns over the disciplinary decision involving the United States forward, as well as broader questions about governance and transparency within the world governing body. 

Balogun was initially handed an automatic one-match suspension after being sent off during the United States’ last-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ban was subsequently suspended by FIFA, clearing him to feature against Belgium in the next round.

The decision became particularly contentious after U.S. President Donald Trump personally contacted Infantino and urged him to review the case.

Belgium went on to face the United States with Balogun available, but the RBFA has since questioned the basis for FIFA’s intervention and the process through which the suspension was lifted.

According to the Belgian federation, FIFA has yet to provide an adequate explanation for its decision or establish how comparable disciplinary cases would be treated in the future. 

RBFA president Pascale Van Damme said the federation had engaged FIFA in what she described as a calm and constructive effort to obtain clarification, but that its questions remained unanswered two months after the incident.

The federation has now formally asked for the Balogun case to be placed on the agenda of FIFA’s next Council meeting, scheduled for October 15. 

The RBFA's concerns extend beyond the Balogun affair. It has also criticised FIFA's handling of the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, particularly decisions and assessments surrounding the plan that it believes were not adequately justified.

The initiative involved a proposal to bring private investment into World Cup commercial rights, a move that triggered strong opposition from several football authorities before FIFA abandoned the plan. 

Belgium said the lack of sufficient explanations surrounding both issues had raised wider concerns about FIFA’s governance and decision-making processes. The federation added that it remained in close contact with UEFA as European football seeks greater clarity from FIFA.

The RBFA also stressed that it wants mechanisms put in place to ensure that disciplinary matters are handled consistently, transparently and independently in the future.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, confirmed his intention to seek re-election for a fourth term in March 2027. FIFA has said he remains committed to the campaign despite mounting opposition from several football bodies.