‘Re-election ploy’ – German FA president blasts Gianni Infantino over FIFA reform plans

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s attempt to open discussions on reforms within world football’s governing body is a calculated move to secure his re-election, Germany Football Association (DFB) President Bernd Neuendorf has claimed.

Infantino wrote to FIFA’s 211 member associations on Monday proposing an independent review of the organisation’s decision-making process, following the collapse of his controversial plan to sell a stake in FIFA’s commercial rights.

But Neuendorf, who sits on the FIFA Council, believes the conciliatory tone of the letter is designed primarily to rebuild support ahead of next year’s presidential election.

“I regard Gianni Infantino’s letter as a transparent ploy to secure his re-election next year,” Neuendorf said on Tuesday.

The German official acknowledged that FIFA appeared to recognise the need for change but questioned whether Infantino should be the person leading that process.

“Fundamentally, FIFA now seems to have recognised that changes are essential.

“However, Gianni Infantino is definitely not the right person to lead a reform process. He has squandered all credibility.”

World Cup investment plan triggers crisis

Infantino has faced mounting opposition following his proposal to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including those connected to the World Cup, to private investors.

The plan was eventually abandoned in July after attracting strong resistance and boycott threats from several football authorities.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF all called for changes to FIFA’s leadership, while critics argued that the process behind the investment proposal had lacked consultation with the continental confederations.

UEFA has subsequently said a change in leadership is necessary, claiming it has lost confidence in the current FIFA president.

The dispute has intensified questions about Infantino’s approach to FIFA governance and his relationship with the organisation’s member associations and continental confederations.

FIFA promises wider consultation

In his latest letter, Infantino attempted to strike a more conciliatory tone, proposing consultations with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on ways to strengthen FIFA’s decision-making structures.

He also proposed an independent examination of the governing body’s decision-making process, potentially signalling a willingness to address some of the concerns raised by his opponents.

Infantino further assured member associations that their positions on governance proposals would not influence how they are treated by FIFA.

He said the organisation’s development and solidarity programmes would continue under the existing rules, regardless of the positions taken by individual associations.

Election battle takes shape

Infantino is scheduled to seek another term as FIFA president in March next year.

While opposition to his leadership has grown, potential challengers have struggled to produce a candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge.

Sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters earlier this month that Infantino still had enough support to win re-election.

That assessment has led some of his opponents to shift their focus towards limiting the powers of the FIFA president rather than immediately replacing him.

Neuendorf’s intervention, however, signals that the dispute over FIFA’s governance is far from settled as the organisation moves towards its next presidential election.