Belgium joins the revolt against Gianni Infantino
The Belgian Union has officially joined the revolt against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, 56, who will stand again on March 18 for a fourth term, while the Belgian federation, represented by Pascale Van Damme, refuses to support him.
This Sports Football article, subscriber‑only, was published on 09‑08‑2026 at 07:41 by Vincent Blouard. The Belgian federation, represented by its president Pascale Van Damme, said it will not support the Italo‑Swiss in their quest for a fourth term. This stance aligns with England, Italy, the Nordic countries, New Zealand, as well as the Asian and CONCACAF confederations. The previous week, the Netherlands even called for a deep transformation of FIFA and for a global summit.
UEFA intensifies the rebellion
On the day after the FIFA spokesperson's announcement, UEFA, led by Slovene Aleksander Ceferin, opened an investigation for “unfair management” and seized a U.S. court to obtain evidence. Ceferin thus strengthened the European front against Gianni Infantino, who is facing growing pressure. The movement is spreading across the continent itself, reflecting a desire to reform football governance.
The daily La Libre reported these resignations, noting that senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro quit his post, saying he could no longer stand by with his arms crossed. Secretary‑General Mattias Grafström also distanced himself from the president’s project. The number three, Kevin Lamour, was dismissed after criticizing his boss, stating: “It is a project of a single man… The time has come for football’s political leaders to ask the right questions… And if that means I lose my job, so be it. I will understand and respect that decision. At least I will sleep well tonight.”
Dissenting voices and calls for resignation
Mikaël Sylvestre, former French international, published an op‑ed signed by Lizarazu, Pirès, Adebayor, Verone and Drogba, demanding the resignation of FIFA’s number one. He wrote: “We call on all stakeholders to take action to redefine the future of our sport. … The football community has remained silent for too long. … The exercise of power has impaired current leaders’ ability to distinguish their personal interests from football’s higher interest. Too much is enough.”
Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian federation, acknowledged that Infantino had contributed to the improvement of African football, but added: “He is accused of selling football? But football is already being sold! Who finances football? It’s companies that buy spaces to communicate.” These remarks highlight the tensions between the continent’s leaders and FIFA’s leadership.
The summer saw grievances pile up against Gianni Infantino: awarding a FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump, “fresh” commercial breaks during the World Cup, hospitality conditions for the Iranian delegation, denial of a Somali referee at the border, and intervention in the Balogun case. Despite these controversies, the 2026 World Cup would have generated thirteen billion dollars, illustrating the financial stakes of the mandate.
The contrast between the rising rebellion and Infantino’s persistence, who remains a candidate despite the lack of a serious rival, shows a deep split within world football. The election on March 18 will determine whether governance can be reinvented or the revolt contained. Readers are invited to Share and to Follow the developments of this crisis.