Belgian FA still wants Balogun ban answers
September 7, 2026 10:32
Belgium’s football association (RBFA) has renewed calls for a full explanation of why Folarin Balogun was permitted to play for the United States against Belgium in the World Cup last-16 tie, despite receiving a straight red card in his previous match. The RBFA wants the matter added to the agenda of FIFA’s Council meeting on 15 October.
The RBFA also announced it will withhold support for Gianni Infantino’s re-election as FIFA president, citing the handling of the Balogun case and concerns about a now-abandoned proposal to sell stakes in FIFA competitions.
KEY CONTEXT
- FIFA suspended the one-game ban that would normally have followed Balogun’s straight red card by invoking Article 27 of its disciplinary code, which permits full or partial suspension of disciplinary measures. FIFA has not provided a full public explanation for using that provision in this case.
- The decision to allow Balogun to play drew widespread criticism and scrutiny after reports that US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied FIFA. UEFA and several national associations, including the RBFA, questioned the move.
- Balogun had scored three goals prior to the last-16 match and started the game, which Belgium won 4-1. Belgium were later eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals.
- Balogun’s red card was the 189th in World Cup history and was only the second occasion—after Garrincha in 1962—where a red card did not lead to a suspension being served.
WHY IT MATTERS
The incident raises questions about consistency, transparency and governance in how FIFA applies its disciplinary code. National associations and confederations expect clear, predictable procedures for suspensions; unresolved explanations from FIFA undermine confidence in those processes. The RBFA’s public refusal to back Infantino’s re-election links this disciplinary controversy to wider governance concerns already surrounding FIFA’s proposed commercial plans.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether FIFA places the Balogun case on the FIFA Council agenda for 15 October and what, if any, new information or formal justification it provides then.
- How UEFA, other confederations and national associations respond at the Council meeting and whether they push for changes to disciplinary procedures or greater transparency.
- Any further statements from the RBFA about its stance on FIFA governance or its position ahead of the presidential election in March.
KEY FACTS
- The RBFA has requested FIFA explain why Balogun’s one-game ban was suspended and asked for the issue to be discussed at the FIFA Council meeting on 15 October.
- FIFA cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code to suspend the sanction but did not fully explain the reasoning publicly.
- Reports emerged that US President Donald Trump and White House officials lobbied FIFA regarding the decision.
- Balogun had scored three World Cup goals before the last-16 match, which Belgium won 4-1; Belgium were eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals.
- The RBFA said it will not support Gianni Infantino’s bid for another term, citing the Balogun case and concerns over the proposed sale of stakes in FIFA competitions.