Belgian FA withdraws support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election
Gianni Infantino faces growing scrutiny after the Belgian Football Association (RBFA) publicly stated it “cannot support” his re-election, citing the controversial case of Folarian Balogun’s rescinded red card as central to its decision, reports BritPanorama.
The decision comes on the heels of Balogun being cleared to play against Belgium in the World Cup last-16 after FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended a one-match ban against him. The RBFA had sought clarity regarding the circumstances of this decision, which remains unaddressed by FIFA.
RBFA President Pascale van Damme emphasized the need for transparency, stating that “important questions remain unanswered” regarding FIFA’s actions in this case. Despite requests for explanations about the decision-making process and future handling of similar cases, the RBFA has yet to receive satisfactory responses.
It was also revealed that US President Donald Trump contacted Infantino, urging a review of the case, heightening the controversy surrounding FIFA’s governance. The RBFA’s statement further underlined its commitment to clarity in football governance, noting concerns about a lack of substantiation for crucial decisions.
Infantino announced he will stand for re-election in March 2025, having been in office since 2016, amid mounting pressure following the failures of the FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, which intended to sell stakes in major tournaments like the World Cup.
As the RBFA continues to press for answers alongside UEFA, football’s governance stands at a crossroads, reminding stakeholders of the critical balance between power and accountability in the sport.
