Belgium withdraws its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino after a dispute over the disciplinary treatment of USA striker Folarin Balogun ahead of a World Cup match against Belgium. Balogun is cleared to play despite being shown a red card in the USA’s previous match.
Both outlets link Belgium’s decision to the red-card controversy. Free Malaysia Today reports Belgium withholds support while it seeks explanations after FIFA suspends Balogun’s automatic red-card ban, following an intervention by US President Donald Trump. The Independent frames the outcome as Balogun being cleared to play after the earlier red card, and says Belgium withdraws support for Infantino in response to that development.
The accounts differ in emphasis: one highlights the role attributed to a US presidential intervention and FIFA’s decision to suspend the automatic ban, while the other focuses on Belgium’s reaction to Balogun’s eligibility for the match against them. However, they agree on the key trigger—Belgium’s decision is tied to the red-card row and FIFA’s handling of it.
