German FA president Bernd Neuendorf rejects Infantino and demands new FIFA leadership

German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to leave his post, confirming that the German federation will vote against him. Neuendorf, who has led the DFB since 2022, explained that the organization's executive presidium passed a formal, unanimous resolution to oppose Infantino at the upcoming election. The German official argued that the governing body requires a clean break after a decade under the current administration. Neuendorf outlined his position in an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper, using refereeing terminology to describe the need for Infantino's departure.

We have to send him off the pitch.

Neuendorf stated that the DFB leadership reached total consensus on the matter because Infantino had squandered all trust across the sport.

Gianni Infantino is no longer tenable as FIFA boss. He has damaged football very badly.

European summit and Infantino reform offer

The public declaration precedes a meeting in Berlin where all 55 member associations of UEFA will convene on Wednesday to debate the future of the world governing body. European federation leaders plan to discuss governance concerns and coordinate their positions regarding the Swiss official. Infantino responded to the sustained criticism of his leadership style by sending a letter to all 211 member associations of FIFA, offering talks on potential structural changes. In that communication, Infantino announced plans for an independent external review of FIFA governance alongside consultations on strengthening decision-making processes, including the role of the president. Neuendorf dismissed the overture as a transparent maneuver designed to secure Infantino's re-election.

It cannot be that the person responsible for the current state of affairs directs the urgently needed reform process.

Election timetable and legal challenges

The 56-year-old Infantino has held the presidency for ten years and has made clear that he intends to remain in charge of the global organization. His letter contained no indication of stepping aside from a fourth term at the FIFA Congress in Morocco in March 2027. Opponents led by UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin have demanded that Infantino decline to stand, yet no alternative candidate has formally declared a campaign. Opponents face a tight window under federation statutes to mount a challenge against the incumbent. Member associations must officially submit any candidate for the presidential ballot by November 18, three months before the vote in Morocco.

The administrative conflict follows legal disputes that surfaced at the end of August in connection with World Cup investor arrangements. Critics escalated the confrontation by threatening a criminal complaint before Swiss courts regarding Infantino's commercial plans for the tournament. Opponents also filed formal information requests in United States courts to obtain records detailing the planned transactions.