The RBFA cannot support Gianni Infantino’s re-election campaign
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) wishes to emphasise that it cannot support Gianni Infantino’s bid for a further term as FIFA President.
This decision by the RBFA is based on two fundamental principles regarding which FIFA has, to date, shown no transparency.
- The ‘FIFA Forward Enterprise’ case: the RBFA notes that, in this matter, a number of important decisions and assessments have, to date, not been sufficiently substantiated by adequate justifications. This raises questions regarding the transparency and governance of this process. We remain in close contact with UEFA and, together, we are seeking clear answers regarding the decision-making process and the next steps.
- In the ongoing case concerning Folarin Balogun’s red card at the World Cup, in which the RBFA is directly involved, important questions remain unanswered in our view. Despite our explicit requests for (1) a clear justification of the decisions taken and (2) details on how such situations will be handled in the future, we have not yet received any satisfactory response on this matter. Once again, the RBFA believes that complete transparency and clear explanations are essential.
According to the Royal Belgian Football Association, it is essential that such cases are handled in a transparent and rigorous manner, in the interests of FIFA, the good governance and the credibility of international football, with clear safeguards for the future.
The next steps
The RBFA has therefore asked FIFA to include the Balogun case on the agenda for the next meeting of the FIFA Council, which is due to take place on 15 October and in which our President Pascale Van Damme sits.
"My team at the RBFA communicated with FIFA in a composed and constructive manner, both during and after the World Cup, in order to obtain clarity in the Balogun case. Two months after the events, we note that our questions remain unanswered to date. Given the importance of transparency and clarity for all parties involved, we request the necessary explanations and, at the same time, wish to explore where improvements to the current processes are possible, so that similar cases can be handled in a clear, consistent and efficient manner in the future.
Together with UEFA, the other confederations and the national associations, we remain committed to transparency in decision-making, strong governance and clear processes. We remain open to constructive cooperation, in the interest of the trust, integrity and future of football."
Pascale Van Damme, President of the RBFA
On Monday 7 September at 11:30, the RBFA will hold a press moment on this matter, attended by our President Pascale Van Damme and our CEO Peter Willems at the Proximus Basecamp (Rue de Bruxelles 480, 1480 Tubize).