Belgium's football federation has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino to run for a fourth term as FIFA president over his handling of a red card reversal involving Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup. The Belgian association cited Infantino's lack of transparency in this matter and his plans to sell stakes in future world championships to private investors, which it sees as raising "questions regarding the transparency and governance" of FIFA decision-making. FIFA confirmed that Infantino intends to stand for re-election next year, despite losing support from several national associations. The Belgian federation is seeking greater transparency in FIFA's decision-making processes and has requested that the Balogun case be placed on the agenda for a future FIFA Council meeting.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
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same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino's bid to become FIFA president for a fourth term. The RBFA cited two reasons: Infantino's handling of a red card reversal for USA player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup, and his plan to sell stakes in future world championships to private investors. This is not the first time Infantino has lost support from national associations and regional confederations; he abandoned his sell-off plan earlier this year due to backlash. Additionally, Infantino faced criticism after FIFA reversed a red card given to Balogun before the USA's crucial round of 16 match against Belgium, with Donald Trump even thanking FIFA for the decision. The withdrawal of support from Belgium is significant because it adds to the growing list of organizations questioning Infantino's leadership and transparency.
Written for “Balogun Red Card Controversy” on 2026-09-07,
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Leaning score withheld for article 6778: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-07
Belgium’s football federation has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid to run for a fourth term as FIFA president, citing his handling of a controversial red card reversal of USA player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup and his plans to sell stakes in future world championships to private investors.
asserted
federation → withdraw → investors
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) released a statement on Monday, saying it rued Infantino’s lack of transparency in both issues and emphasised that it could not support the FIFA president.
uncertain
it → release → president
FIFA confirmed Infantino’s intention to stand for re-election on Sunday, saying he had never changed the plans announced earlier this year and that he will throw his name in the hat for the March 2027 vote.
asserted
he → confirm → vote
The 56-year-old has lost support from several national associations and regional confederations since announcing his sell-off plan, which he eventually abandoned due to mounting pressure and growing backlash.
asserted
he → lose → pressure
He was also the subject of criticism during the World Cup, when United States President Donald Trump thanked football’s world governing body for reversing USA forward Balogun’s red card before their crucial round of 16 match against Belgium.
asserted
Trump → thank → Belgium
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
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Trump → thank → platform
Unsurprisingly, the US football body welcomed FIFA’s decision to allow their leading World Cup goal scorer to play in the crucial knockout match.
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scorer → welcome → match
“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow,” US Soccer said in a statement.
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Soccer → accept → statement
The RBFA challenged FIFA’s decision, but its appeal was deemed “inadmissible” by the FIFA Appeal Committee.
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appeal → challenge → Committee
The Belgian association accused FIFA of a “breach” of regulations for not providing its justifications.
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association → accuse → justifications
In its latest statement, the RBFA said it had “not yet received any satisfactory response”.
asserted
it → say → response
It has asked FIFA to place the Balogun case on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15.
asserted
It → ask → October
It also highlighted the FIFA Forward Enterprise, a new FIFA-owned and controlled subsidiary inviting private investment into the World Cup, as one of the reasons behind its decision to pull out support for Infantino.
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It → highlight → Infantino
The RBFA said the investment plans raised “questions regarding the transparency and governance of this process”.
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plans → say → process
“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 statement said.
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statement → handle → future
The Belgian federation said it was in close contact with UEFA, European football’s governing body, over both issues and would continue pushing for greater transparency in FIFA decision-making.
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it → say → making
RBFA president Pascale Van Damme confirmed that her team had been in communication with FIFA, but their questions remained unanswered.
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questions → confirm → FIFA
“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.
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she → give → processes
