Brussels, Sept. 7 (SANA) The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said Monday it would not support Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president unless it receives satisfactory answers over FIFA’s handling of the Folarin Balogun red-card case and broader governance concerns.
Belgian FA cites transparency and governance concerns
The RBFA said its position was linked to two issues: FIFA’s handling of the Balogun disciplinary case at the World Cup and decisions surrounding the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.
Under the FFE plan, FIFA proposed selling stakes in World Cup commercial rights to private investors for $4.2 billion. The proposal was withdrawn on August 1, days after becoming public, following strong opposition.
“The RBFA notes that, in this matter, a number of important decisions and assessments have, to date, not been sufficiently substantiated by adequate justifications,” the federation said, adding that this raised questions about transparency and governance.
The RBFA said it had opposed the proposed sale and remained committed to “a strong, independent and sustainable model for international football.”
UEFA has led opposition to Infantino following the controversy, while several national associations, including the English Football Association, have withdrawn their support for his re-election.
Balogun case adds to criticism
Belgium has also sought explanations over FIFA’s disciplinary process involving U.S. forward Balogun, whose automatic one-match ban following a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina was suspended by FIFA.
The decision allowed Balogun to face Belgium in their World Cup last-16 match after U.S. President Donald Trump personally urged Infantino to review the case. Belgium went on to defeat the United States 4-1.
The RBFA said FIFA had yet to provide adequate justification for the decision or explain how similar disciplinary cases would be handled in the future.
“It is essential that such cases are handled in a transparent and rigorous manner, in the interests of FIFA, the good governance and the credibility of international football, with clear safeguards for the future,” the federation said.
RBFA President Pascale Van Damme said his team had communicated with FIFA “in a composed and constructive manner” during and after the World Cup in an effort to obtain clarity over the case.
“Two months after the events, we note that our questions remain unanswered to date,” Van Damme said.
The Belgian federation has asked FIFA to place the Balogun case on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15.
The RBFA said it remained in close contact with UEFA over both the Balogun case and the FFE controversy and would continue pressing for greater transparency in FIFA’s decision-making.
Pressure mounts ahead of FIFA election
FIFA said Sunday that Infantino, who has headed world football’s governing body since 2016, will stand for re-election in March 2027 for a final term that would run through 2031.
Infantino has faced mounting opposition since the FFE proposal emerged, with several European national associations withdrawing their backing.
UEFA has also filed legal papers in the United States seeking evidence and documents related to the proposed investment venture and has warned it could pursue criminal proceedings in Switzerland, where FIFA is headquartered.
FIFA has rejected UEFA’s allegations and accused the European governing body of conducting a “smear campaign” against FIFA and its leadership.
No challenger to Infantino has been formally announced, although CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has been cited as a possible candidate.
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