Another country turns its back on FIFA president

Belgium’s football federation has decided not to support Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, becoming the latest European federation to turn against him.

The Belgian federation said two issues showed that FIFA was not sufficiently transparent. One was Infantino’s attempt to allow private investors to buy stakes in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. The proposal met such strong opposition that it quickly collapsed.

The federation also questioned the handling of U.S. player Folarin Balogun’s suspension. Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, but the suspension was later unexpectedly made conditional and did not apply during the summer’s World Cup. Many people pointed to the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Belgium has asked FIFA to put the Balogun case on the agenda for the next council meeting on October 15. Belgian federation president Pascale Van Damme sits on the council. “Two months after the incident, we note that our questions remain unanswered,” she said.

UEFA later adopted a motion of no confidence in the FIFA president and has worked to push for his departure. Several UEFA countries have withdrawn their support in recent weeks, and Norway’s football federation went further earlier this month by calling on Infantino to resign. No rival has yet been put forward for the FIFA congress in March next year. The nomination deadline is November 18.

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Two months after the incident, we note that our questions remain unanswered.