Belgian FA ‘cannot back’ Infantino amid World Cup and Balogun ‘transparency’ concerns

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has announced it will oppose Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president, primarily due to lingering concerns over the handling of the Folarin Balogun incident. Infantino confirmed his intention to run again in March, despite the backlash against his plans to partially privatize the World Cup.

The RBFA cited two key issues as the basis for its opposition: the lack of transparency surrounding FIFA's decision to house the World Cup rights in a spin-off company and sell minority stakes to outside investors, led by Joshua Kushner. Infantino's proposal remains murky on the underlying rationale and decision-making process, raising questions about the transparency and governance of the process.

Moreover, the RBFA expressed dissatisfaction with the suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun, which was subsequently lifted ahead of their World Cup match against Belgium following pressure from President Trump. The Belgian FA stated that they have not received satisfactory answers regarding the decisions made in this case and how such situations should be handled in the future.

The RBFA affirmed its alignment with UEFA, which has initiated legal proceedings against Infantino in the US, potentially leading to a criminal complaint in Switzerland. Key questions remain unanswered concerning the Balogun episode, with both the RBFA and UEFA demanding clear answers on decision-making processes and future safeguards to ensure transparency and good governance within international football.