Belgium threatens to withhold FIFA support over Balogun red-card controversy
The Belgian football federation says it will not back Gianni Infantino’s re-election unless FIFA clarifies the handling of Folarin Balogun’s red-card case and other governance issues.
Belgium’s football governing body, the RBFA, declared that it will withhold its vote for Gianni Infantino’s continued presidency unless FIFA provides clear justification for the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension, which let the U.S. striker face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. The federation also questioned the lack of transparency surrounding FIFA Forward Enterprise decisions and a proposed sale of a share in World Cup commercial rights.
Pascale Van Damme, RBFA president, noted that despite two months of inquiries, FIFA has not supplied adequate answers. RBFA has asked that the Balogun case be placed on the agenda of the FIFA Council meeting scheduled for October 15. The Belgian federation continues to liaise with UEFA while pressing for stronger governance safeguards within FIFA.
How this was covered
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
The dispute highlights governance and transparency challenges within FIFA that could affect future World Cup decisions.
How this story developed
- Sep 4 FIFA president's attendance uncertain as U-20 Women's World Cup opens in Poland
- Sep 6 European football bodies dropped their threatened boycott after FIFA pledged the commercial‑rights plan would not be reinstated.
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