{
  "id": 6134669,
  "title": "Belgium ‘cannot support’ Infantino re-election after Balogun case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/belgium-cannot-support-infantino-re-election-after-balogun-case",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T12:33:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/belgium-cannot-support-infantino-election-123339476.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has announced it cannot support Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president, citing the ongoing Folarin Balogun case. Balogun, a US striker, was initially banned for a red card but had the ban suspended by FIFA's disciplinary committee. US President Donald Trump had personally asked Infantino to review the decision, but the RBFA has not received satisfactory explanations or details on how such situations will be handled in the future. The RBFA emphasizes that \"important questions remain unanswered in our view\" and calls for complete transparency and clear explanations. The association remains involved in the case and is pursuing an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Additionally, the RBFA highlights FIFA's lack of transparency regarding Infantino's aborted plan to create a company, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run the commercial operations of its tournaments and sell a stake in that company to private investors. This has raised concerns about the transparency and governance of FIFA's decision-making process. The RBFA remains in close contact with UEFA, seeking clear answers regarding the decision-making process and the next steps. FIFA has pledged to conduct a review of the planning process for the World Cup company, but has not provided details on who will carry out that review. UEFA has called for an independent external review and has sought the disclosure of documents related to FIFA's plans on the company. FIFA's spokesperson confirmed that \"nothing has changed\" regarding Infantino's intention to stand for re-election at the Congress in Rabat. Several European associations, including Belgium, England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, have expressed a loss of confidence in Infantino, with UEFA pledging to work with other confederations to find an alternative candidate for the FIFA presidency.",
  "summary": "The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) says it cannot support Gianni Infantino being re-elected as FIFA president, citing the Folarin Balogun case in which it remains involved. United States striker Balogun was cleared to play in a World Cup last-16 match against Belgium in July after a one-match ban imposed for a red card in the US’ previous match was suspended by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Belgium withholds support for Infantino over Balogun red-card row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/belgium-withholds-support-for-infantino-over-balogun-red-card-row",
        "published": "2026-09-07T09:11:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Belgium withholds support for Infantino over Balogun red-card row",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/belgium-withholds-support-for-infantino-over-balogun-red-card-row-6130919",
        "published": "2026-09-07T11:00:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Balogun red card U-turn prompts Belgium to withdraw support for Infantino",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/balogun-red-card-u-turn-prompts-belgium-to-withdraw-support-for",
        "published": "2026-09-07T11:50:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}