Belgium Turns Its Back on Infantino Ahead of FIFA Presidential Election

Belgium has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, pointing to what it called a lack of transparency and shortcomings in the way world football’s governing body is run.

The Belgian football federation, RBFA, said its position followed UEFA’s stance. It wants clear answers about the decision-making process surrounding an abandoned plan by an Italian-Swiss official to transfer World Cup revenue to a company open to private investors.

The federation also demanded full transparency over the red card shown to American player Folarin Balogun during the World Cup in the United States. Balogun was sent off in a round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but his suspension for the round-of-16 game against Belgium was lifted after U.S. President Donald Trump intervened with Infantino.

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In line with UEFA's position, RBFA expects clear answers about the decision-making process related to the abandoned plan to transfer World Cup revenue to a company open to private investors.

“Two months later, we note that our questions have still not received an answer,” RBFA president Pascale Van Damme said. She asked FIFA to place the Balogun case on the agenda for the next FIFA Council meeting on Oct. 15.

Belgium joins the football associations of Sweden, Scotland and Italy, which have also withdrawn their support for Infantino. He confirmed on Sunday that he will stand for another term in March 2027. Infantino has led FIFA since 2016 and is currently the only prominent candidate.

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Two months later, we note that our questions have still not received an answer.