The Belgian football association will not support Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid for FIFA president over governance and transparency concerns.
BRUSSELS: The Belgian football association will not support Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term as FIFA president, it said on Monday, citing concerns over transparency and governance within world football’s governing body.
Belgium joins a growing list of national associations, including England and Italy, that have withdrawn their backing for Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March 2027.
FIFA confirmed on Sunday that Infantino would seek another term as president. He is currently the only declared candidate.
The Royal Belgian FA (RBFA) said it was “seeking clear answers regarding the decision-making process and the next steps” surrounding Infantino’s aborted plan to bring private investment into the World Cup.
The Belgians also called for “complete transparency and clear explanations” over the suspension of US forward Folarin Balogun’s ban during the recent World Cup.
Balogun’s red card in the last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in an automatic suspension for the match with Belgium in the next round.
But FIFA stepped in and lifted his ban, leading to widespread condemnation, especially when it emerged that US President Donald Trump had intervened by phoning Infantino.
“Two months after the events, we note that our questions remain unanswered to date,” said RBFA president Pascale Van Damme.
The Belgian FA has formally requested that FIFA place the Balogun case on the agenda of the next FIFA Council meeting on October 15.
In recent weeks, football’s governing bodies have become increasingly divided over FIFA’s leadership, with critics accusing Infantino of developing plans for a new commercial structure involving private investors without sufficient consultation.
Facing mounting opposition, Infantino quickly shelved the proposal, but the move has failed to quell concerns among several member associations.
