The Belgian Football Association says it still wants answers about why Folarin Balogun was allowed to play against its team in the World Cup, and has asked for the issue to be on the agenda of the next FIFA Council. In one of the most controversial moments of the summer World Cup, Balogun was cleared to play for co-hosts USA in the round of 16 match against Belgium after FIFA waived a one-match suspension for one year following a straight red card in their previous game. The decision was unorthodox and received widespread criticism, especially after it emerged that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had pressured FIFA. European governing body UEFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) were among those to question the decision. The RBFA said it had asked FIFA for “a clear justification for the decisions taken and details on how such situations will be handled in the future.” Balogun, who had scored three goals up to that point, started the match, which Belgium won 4-1. The Red Devils lost to Spain in the quarterfinals. In a statement on Monday, the RBFA said it now wants the issue to be discussed at the FIFA Council meeting on October 15, and says it will not support Gianni Infantino’s candidacy for a new term as FIFA president. RBFA president Pascale van Damme said: “Two months after the events, our questions remain unanswered.” Given the importance of transparency and clarity for all parties involved, we request the necessary explanations and, at the same time, we wish to explore where it is possible to improve the current processes, so that similar cases can be dealt with clearly, consistently and efficiently in the future. “Together with UEFA, the other confederations and national associations, we remain committed to transparency in decision-making, strong.” Balogun’s red card was the 189th in World Cup history and only the second, after Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962, to not serve a suspension. FIFA never fully explained the decision, simply citing “article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code” which allows it to “fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.” No other suspensions were lifted in the tournament. World Cup 2026. Infantino, who has been FIFA president since 2016, confirmed this week that he will run for re-election in March. The Swiss have been under enormous pressure after details emerged of a now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in Fifa competitions, including the World Cup, to private investment firms. Belgium’s football governing body is the latest to join the growing list of those who say they do not want Infantino to remain in office. His two reasons for refusing to support Infantino were the Balogun case and the FIFA Forward Enterprise to sell those stakes.
