Belgium’s Football Association is continuing to seek an explanation for the decision that allowed Folarin Balogun to face its national team at the World Cup and has requested that the matter be discussed at the next Fifa Council meeting.
In one of the summer World Cup’s most disputed incidents, Balogun received permission to represent co-hosts USA in their last-16 match against Belgium. Fifa had suspended for one year the one-match ban imposed after his straight red card in the previous fixture.
The unusual ruling prompted widespread criticism, particularly after reports revealed that US President Donald Trump and White House representatives had appealed to Fifa over the matter.
Uefa and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) were among the organizations that challenged the decision.
The RBFA said it had requested a detailed explanation from Fifa about how the ruling was reached and how comparable cases would be managed in the future.
Balogun, who had scored three goals by that point in the tournament, started the match as Belgium secured a 4-1 victory. The Red Devils were then eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals.
In a statement released on Monday, the RBFA called for the subject to be addressed at the Fifa Council meeting scheduled for 15 October. It also announced that it would not back Gianni Infantino’s campaign for another term as Fifa president.
RBFA president Pascale van Damme said the association was still waiting for answers two months after the incident.
She said transparency and clarity were essential for everyone involved, adding that the organization wanted both a proper explanation and a review of potential improvements to existing procedures. The aim, she said, was to ensure that similar situations could be resolved clearly, consistently and efficiently in the future.
Van Damme added that the RBFA would continue working with Uefa, other confederations and national associations to promote transparent decisions, effective governance and clearly defined procedures. She said the organization remained willing to cooperate constructively to protect confidence in the game, its integrity and its long-term future.
Balogun’s dismissal was the 189th red card in World Cup history. He became only the second player, following Brazil’s Garrincha in 1962, not to serve a resulting suspension.
Fifa did not provide a complete explanation for its ruling, referring only to article 27 of its disciplinary code, which permits the full or partial suspension of a disciplinary sanction.
No other player had a suspension withdrawn during the 2026 World Cup.
Infantino, who has led Fifa since 2016, confirmed this week that he would seek re-election in March.
The Swiss official has faced significant pressure following reports of an abandoned proposal to sell private investment companies stakes in Fifa tournaments, including the World Cup.
Belgium’s governing body has become the latest organization to join an expanding group opposing Infantino’s continuation as president.
The RBFA said its refusal to support Infantino was based on two issues: the handling of the Balogun case and the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal involving the sale of those stakes.
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
