German FA president demands end to Gianni Infantino era as UEFA prepares rival FIFA bid

Bernd Neuendorf has sharpened Germany’s stance against Infantino after attending UEFA’s Executive Committee and FIFA Council meetings in Thessaloniki, Greece, where the future of FIFA leadership featured prominently in discussions.

The DFB president told German broadcaster RTL/ntv that changing the current FIFA leadership structure was necessary, while making clear that his relationship with Infantino had deteriorated significantly.

“It is important that this Infantino system is also brought to an end,” Neuendorf said, adding that this was “absolutely necessary.”

He also acknowledged that the relationship between the German FA and the FIFA president had been seriously damaged.

“The relationship of trust with Gianni Infantino, with this FIFA leadership, is of course shattered.”

Infantino is seeking another term as FIFA president despite mounting criticism over his leadership and the collapse of a proposed World Cup investment plan.

The FIFA election is scheduled for March, setting the stage for a potentially significant challenge to Infantino’s position.

UEFA builds opposition

UEFA, led by president Aleksander Čeferin, has emerged as the strongest source of opposition to Infantino, with European football authorities seeking major changes to FIFA’s leadership and operating structure.

UEFA has called for Infantino to resign and is also preparing a criminal complaint against him in Switzerland, according to reports.

The European body’s immediate objective is to increase pressure on Infantino before the FIFA election, while simultaneously working to build support for an alternative candidate.

Ten European football associations have already withdrawn their backing for Infantino, with France and Austria among the latest to do so.

Germany has yet to formally withdraw its support, but Neuendorf’s latest comments represent a significant shift in tone.

In July, the DFB confirmed it would not sign a letter of support circulated by FIFA for Infantino’s re-election bid.

Greece joins growing resistance

The opposition is also spreading beyond the associations that have publicly withdrawn their backing.

Greek FA president Makis Gagatsis said on Thursday that the Hellenic Football Federation could no longer support Infantino, citing events surrounding the World Cup and the subsequent attempt to sell World Cup rights.

“We saw things happen at the ‌World Cup that are not acceptable to football public opinion. Then… came ‌a programme to sell World Cup rights and we are clearly against ‌it, so we withdrew our support of the FIFA president.”

UEFA says it is now in discussions with other member associations as it attempts to build the numbers required to challenge Infantino.

The organisation has also indicated that its ambitions extend beyond the upcoming election, with plans to examine ways of fundamentally changing FIFA’s current structure.

Rival candidate expected

UEFA is therefore preparing for a direct challenge to Infantino, with the European body expected to nominate a rival before the November 18 deadline.

The move could reshape the FIFA presidential race and turn the election into a wider contest over the direction of global football governance.

With Germany now openly calling for an end to the current FIFA leadership system and more European associations withdrawing their support, Infantino faces an increasingly organised challenge ahead of the March election.