The Belgian Federation withdraws its support for Infantino, Mourinho faces Inter, and a driver is rescued in Shanghai

The Belgian Football Association announced that it will not support Swiss Gianni Infantino in his bid to obtain a new term for the presidency of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), citing concerns related to transparency and governance, in addition to the way FIFA dealt with the cancellation of the mandatory one-match suspension penalty imposed on American Florin Balogun during the World Cup.

Infantino, the president of FIFA, is facing pressure in the wake of his controversial plan to sell shares in the World Cup tournaments to private companies, which was met with angry reactions, but FIFA announced yesterday, Sunday, that Infantino intends to run again in next year’s elections to obtain a final term that extends until 2031.

The Belgian Football Association stated, in a statement on Monday, that its decision not to support Infantino is linked to what it described as a “lack of transparency” on the part of FIFA in dealing with the issue of selling World Cup rights to companies from the private sector, in addition to the issue of the red card that Balogun obtained. FIFA had previously proposed selling shares of the World Cup tournament rights to private investment companies for four billion and 200 million dollars, as part of a project called the FIFA Progress Foundation, but the proposal was withdrawn on August 1, a few days after it was revealed, following strong opposition.

The Belgian Football Association explained: “The Belgian Football Association notes that a number of important decisions and assessments in this case have not yet been adequately supported by clear justifications. This raises questions about the transparency and governance of this process. We remain in close contact with the European Football Association (UEFA), and together we seek to obtain clear answers regarding the decision-making mechanism and the next steps.”

UEFA led the calls for Infantino's departure, declaring a loss of confidence in him, and had previously threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. Several national federations, including the English Football Association, withdrew their support for Infantino's candidacy for a new term.

The Belgian Federation indicated that FIFA did not provide satisfactory explanations regarding its controversial decision regarding the American national team player, Balogun, or the way in which similar cases will be dealt with in the future.

FIFA suspended the implementation of the suspension penalty against Balogun, due to him receiving a red card following an intervention against a player from Bosnia and Herzegovina, after US President Donald Trump called Infantino, so that the player could participate against Belgium.

Belgium defeated the United States 4-1 after 36 hours that witnessed a state of chaos and controversy in the World Cup, while it seemed that the Belgian national team players played the match with additional motivation due to one of the most controversial incidents in the history of the tournament.

Pascal Van Dam, President of the Belgian Federation, said: “Two months after the events, we note that our questions are still unanswered so far. Given the importance of transparency and clarity for all parties concerned, we request the necessary explanations, and at the same time we wish to examine ways to improve current procedures, so that similar cases can be dealt with in the future in a clear, consistent and effective manner.” The Belgian Federation asked FIFA to include Balogun’s case on the agenda of the next meeting of the FIFA Council, scheduled to be held on October 15.

When Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho left Inter for Spanish Real Madrid in the summer of 2010, after leading the Nerazzurri to glory in the Champions League, he was at the peak of his performance...

The Portuguese coach achieved a historic treble with Inter, after clinching the Italian League title in the last week of the season, and lifting the Italian Cup. Inter defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, winning the title for the first time since 1965, becoming the first Italian team to achieve the treble. The day after the final, Mourinho said that the match was likely his last as head of the coaching staff, and about a week later he was confirmed as Real Madrid coach.

Now, after 16 years, and at the beginning of his second period with Real Madrid, Mourinho begins the journey of the record holder with the number of Champions League titles (15) by facing Inter on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Neither the veteran coach nor Inter have been able to replicate that level of European success since then. Inter reached the final twice later, losing to England's Manchester City 0-1 in 2023, then suffering a harsh defeat against France's Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 final by 5-0.

As for Mourinho, he was unable to lead Real Madrid beyond the semi-finals, and after his departure from the Royal Club in 2013, he spent most of his time competing at the lower levels on the continental scene. The 63-year-old led Manchester United to the European League title in 2017, then won the Conference League with Roma in 2022.

Real President Florentino Pires brought him back to the forefront this summer, after two seasons without a major title for the Royal Club. Which makes restoring the team to the throne of Europe one of his main tasks.

Only 5 coaches surpass Mourinho in the number of wins in the tournament, led by former Real Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (5), after the Portuguese also won it with Porto in 2004, which opened the way for him to move to Chelsea in England and the largest European leagues. Mourinho said in 2010: “My attraction to Real Madrid stems from its history, its failures in recent years and its expectations of winning.” However, the same applies today after the end of an exceptional period of success.

During his first term, Mourinho helped Real Madrid break the dominance of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona domestically, but he was unable to end the club's wait for its 10th European title. This achievement came at the hands of Khalil Ancelotti, who won 3 titles with Real during two periods at the head of the coaching staff. Frenchman Zinedine Zidane also lifted the cup three times in a row, so Real won 6 titles during an amazing period of 10 years. Pires credits Mourinho with laying the foundations on which these titles were built. Mourinho said: “I am happy that my work had some positive impact, but the titles belong to Carlo, Zidane, the players and the fans.”

However, Real's prestige in the competition has weakened over the past two years, as it was eliminated in the quarter-finals against England's Arsenal in 2025, and then was eliminated last season from the same round by Germany's Bayern Munich. Mourinho's challenge is to prove that he and Real Madrid can regain their place among Europe's elite, and prevent Paris Saint-Germain, led by Spaniard Luis Enrique, from winning the title for the third year in a row.

Mourinho said last August: “Ending the season without a title at Real Madrid is not considered a successful season.” The Portuguese coach's second period in Madrid began smoothly with 3 victories in 3 matches, but on Friday the team suffered its first defeat, falling to Real Betis 0-1. The visit of Inter, the Spanish capital, will constitute an early test of what Mourinho can do on the most important continental stage, against the club with which he last reached the top of the competition.

British driver Ollie Milroy thanked his rival Luke Hartoch for saving his life. After the Dutch driver stopped and pulled him from the burning Ferrari during the “China Sports Car Championship Race” that was held in Shanghai last Saturday.

Milroy was involved in a collision involving several cars on the 7th lap of the race, and suffered five broken ribs, another broken collarbone, a broken hand and finger, and a bruised lung.

"I'm still alive, thanks entirely to one man," Milroy wrote on his Instagram account, describing how Hartoch left his car and rushed to help him before emergency teams arrived. "I don't remember anything between the 30 seconds before the accident and an hour after, but I will remember his amazing act of bravery for the rest of my life," Milroy said.

Hartoch said he acted out of instinct. He added: “When I saw a car turning into a huge fireball, I did not think for a moment. Based on what I saw, I really thought the driver might not be able to get out on his own. I stopped, got out of my car, and headed toward the car. I never had any doubt for a moment. "It was scary."

Race organizers said they would investigate the incident and address deficiencies in race management, emergency response, rescue operations and medical support.

Milroy's team criticized; "AAI Motorsport", the way to deal with the accident, and announced that he will no longer participate in the races that will be held in China.