Sports
Belgium Revolts: Why the FA Refuses to Back Infantino for Another Term as FIFA President
Gianni Infantino may be the only declared candidate running for another term as FIFA president ahead of March 2027, but his path forward is hitting severe turbulence across Europe.
On Monday, the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) officially joined a growing revolt, announcing it will not endorse Infantino’s re-election. Citing deep concerns over transparency, backdoor decision-making, and broken governance, Belgium joins heavyweights like England and Italy in pulling their support.
At the heart of the standoff are two controversies that left European associations furious.
The World Cup Red Card Fiasco
The most explosive issue stems from the recent World Cup and an unprecedented disciplinary reversal involving US striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun was handed a straight red card during the United States’ round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering what should have been an automatic ban for the subsequent round-of-16 clash against Belgium.
Instead, FIFA stepped in and lifted the suspension, paving the way for Balogun to start. The move triggered immediate backlash across world football, which only escalated when it emerged that US President Donald Trump had personally phoned Infantino to intervene.
Even though Belgium went on to defeat the US 4-1, the RBFA is refusing to let the matter slide.
“Two months after the events, we note that our questions remain unanswered to date,“ said RBFA
President Pascale Van Damme, who has formally demanded the Balogun case be placed on the agenda for the FIFA Council meeting on October 15.
Backroom Commercial Deals
The fallout over on-pitch favoritism is only half the problem. The Belgian federation also hit out at Infantino’s aborted initiative to sell World Cup commercial stakes to private equity investors without widespread consultation.
While intense pushback forced Infantino to hastily shelve the private investment plan, the damage to his credibility was already done. Member associations are increasingly alarmed by what they view as centralized, unchecked governance in Zurich.
The Bigger Picture
Infantino has spent years consolidating power, but a rebellion led by UEFA powerhouses shows the cracks are widening. With the October council meeting looming and the election set for early next year, FIFA’s top seat might face its rockiest campaign yet.
Sports
Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat
Angry supporters of MC Alger allegedly attacked a member of their club’s technical crew and vandalised stadium facilities after the Algerian side lost 2–0 to Enugu Rangers in the first leg of their CAF Champions League qualifying tie in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The disorder occurred on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, shortly after Rangers secured a crucial victory against the visiting Algerian champions.
Reports said more than 400 travelling supporters expressed their anger following the defeat, with some allegedly destroying seats in the covered stands and damaging other stadium facilities.
The situation reportedly escalated when some supporters followed members of the MC Alger delegation towards the players’ tunnel, where an assistant coach was allegedly assaulted.
Nigerian police officers attached to the Algerian delegation reportedly intervened and rescued the coach from further attacks, while security operatives subsequently restricted movement around the stadium to prevent additional violence.
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Former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba was also reportedly attacked by members of the Algerian delegation in the VVIP section as he attempted to exchange pleasantries after the match. Further details surrounding the reported incident were not immediately available.
The ugly scenes overshadowed an impressive performance by Rangers, who overcame an early setback to secure a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Algeria.
The Nigerian champions were reduced to 10 players in the first half after goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh was sent off. MC Alger also lost a player when defender Oussama Benhaoua received a second yellow card in the second half.
With both sides reduced to 10 players, Rangers capitalised on their opportunities late in the match. Kenneth Igboke converted a penalty to give the hosts the lead before James Emo scored again to seal the 2–0 victory.
The result puts Rangers in a favourable position ahead of the return fixture scheduled for October 23 in Algiers, where they will attempt to protect their advantage and progress in the continental competition.
However, the reported violence has raised concerns about crowd control, stadium security and the conduct of travelling supporters at African club football matches.
Rangers will also be mindful of their history against MC Alger. In 1976, the Nigerian club won the first leg of their African Cup of Champions Clubs encounter 2–0 but lost the return match 3–0, exiting the competition 3–2 on aggregate. MC Alger went on to win the continental title that year.
The Nigerian side will now seek to avoid a repeat of that outcome as it pursues qualification for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League group stage.
Chaos in Abeokuta as Algerian Fans Attack Coach, Vandalise Stadium After Rangers Defeat
Sports
Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 4-1 in their La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, October 18, 2026, boosting their confidence ahead of next weekend’s highly anticipated El Clásico against Barcelona.
The French forward produced a standout performance, scoring from open play before converting a penalty to help Real Madrid secure a convincing victory. Arda Güler and Yan Diomande also found the net for the hosts, while Manu Bueno scored Sevilla’s only goal.
Real Madrid took the lead in the 30th minute when Güler collected a pass from Diomande and unleashed a superb left-footed strike into the top corner.
Mbappé doubled the advantage seven minutes later after combining with Jude Bellingham. The striker controlled a clever backheel pass, evaded his marker and goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, and calmly finished to put the hosts firmly in control.
The Real Madrid forward completed his brace in the 63rd minute, converting a penalty with a cheeky Panenka-style chip after Sevilla defender Andrés Castrín brought him down inside the penalty area.
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Sevilla attempted to fight their way back into the contest when substitute Manu Bueno scored in the 80th minute, capitalising on a mistake by Mbappé.
However, Real Madrid responded almost immediately. Diomande collected the ball and unleashed a powerful strike in the 82nd minute to restore the hosts’ three-goal advantage and seal the 4-1 victory.
The result provided Real Madrid with a timely boost before their meeting with Barcelona in El Clásico on October 25. The Spanish giants will look to carry their attacking momentum into the crucial encounter.
Sevilla, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another disappointing result at the Bernabéu as Real Madrid demonstrated their attacking strength and ability to punish defensive mistakes.
Mbappé Runs Riot as Real Madrid Crush Sevilla 4-1 Ahead of El Clásico
Sports
Lamine Yamal Shines as Barcelona Thrash Real Betis 5-2
Lamine Yamal delivered a dazzling performance as Barcelona defeated Real Betis 5-2 away from home on Saturday, October 17, 2026, extending their perfect start to the Spanish LaLiga season with a ninth consecutive league victory.
The 19-year-old winger opened the scoring with a superb finish and later provided an assist as Barcelona overcame a spirited Betis challenge at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville.
Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and substitute Dani Olmo also scored for Barcelona, while Valentín Gómez and Ez Abde found the net for the hosts.
The victory took Barcelona to 27 points from nine matches, keeping them five points clear at the top of the LaLiga standings. Real Betis remained third with 19 points following the defeat.
Yamal set the tone in the 10th minute with a moment of individual brilliance. Cutting in from the right, the young forward created space before curling a left-footed effort from outside the penalty area into the top corner, leaving the Betis goalkeeper with little chance.
Real Betis responded in the 27th minute when Pablo Fornals delivered a cross into the box and Valentín Gómez rose above the Barcelona defence to head home the equaliser.
Barcelona regained the lead four minutes before half-time. Rodri powered a header into the net from Fermín López’s corner in the 41st minute, restoring the visitors’ advantage.
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Betis appeared to have drawn level again shortly afterwards when Giovani Lo Celso scored with a spectacular volley. However, the goal was disallowed following a video assistant referee (VAR) review that identified a handball by Cucho Hernández earlier in the move.
Barcelona increased their advantage shortly after the restart. In the 51st minute, Yamal drove down the right flank before squaring the ball for Gabriel Jesus, who finished neatly inside the penalty area to make it 3-1.
Betis responded almost immediately, with Ez Abde finishing a counterattack in the 53rd minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and revive hopes of a comeback.
However, the contest changed dramatically a minute later when Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal was sent off following an altercation with Yamal. Bernal was dismissed for violent conduct after headbutting the Barcelona winger, while Yamal received a yellow card for his involvement in the incident.
With Betis reduced to 10 players, Barcelona took greater control of the match and exploited the numerical advantage.
Eric Garcia extended the lead in the 62nd minute after Pau Cubarsí helped direct the ball across goal from a set-piece situation, allowing Garcia to finish from close range.
Substitute Dani Olmo completed the scoring in the 81st minute, curling a right-footed effort into the top corner to seal an emphatic 5-2 victory for the visitors.
The result strengthened Barcelona’s position at the summit of LaLiga, with the Catalan side recording nine wins from nine league matches and scoring 39 goals during that run.
Barcelona have also maintained an impressive start across all competitions, having won their first 11 competitive matches of the campaign.
The victory comes ahead of a demanding week for Hansi Flick’s side, with a Champions League meeting against Paris Saint-Germain and the much-anticipated El Clásico against Real Madrid on the horizon.
For Yamal, the performance further underlined his importance to Barcelona’s attack. His opening goal and assist for Gabriel Jesus proved decisive in a match that remained competitive until Bernal’s dismissal.
Real Betis, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a defeat in which their attacking moments offered promise but defensive difficulties and the red card ultimately worked against them.
Lamine Yamal Shines as Barcelona Thrash Real Betis 5-2
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