DFB calls Infantino 'irresponsible' as UEFA and European federations withdraw trust after FIFA investment plan collapses

The failed deal

In the early hours of Saturday morning, FIFA ended its plan to sell shares in the commercial rights of its competitions (including the men's and women's World Cups and the Club World Cup) to private investors. The proposal, pushed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, collapsed after intense opposition described by the Danish football association DBU as 'massive resistance and worldwide outrage.'

The only right decision was to withdraw the proposal — and it was to be expected.

UEFA's sharp rebuke

The European governing body issued a statement on Saturday afternoon demanding a cultural shift within FIFA. UEFA accused Infantino of orchestrating what it called a 'shabby and opaque deal' and declared that the current FIFA leadership had lost the trust of UEFA and many other members of the football family.

We can no longer continue with secret plans rushed through at breakneck speed, concocted by anonymous actors and bringing only dubious benefit to football. We must identify those responsible and hold them to account.

UEFA also directly confronted Infantino over two campaign promises from 2015: transparency and the use of FIFA funds for the development of football. The statement noted FIFA held reserves of over five billion dollars yet failed to deploy that money for football's benefit. UEFA thanked all those who made clear to Infantino that 'football is not for sale' and called the outcome 'a victory for all of football,' while insisting that 'this must not be the end of the story.'

National federations withdraw support

The German Football Association (DFB) was among the most forceful voices. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf demanded a 'complete investigation' into the background of the project and said Infantino had acted 'autocratically, non-transparently and ultimately irresponsibly as far as football is concerned.'

We must work together with UEFA and other confederations to ensure that a fundamentally different culture takes hold at FIFA. A culture in which decisions are once again discussed and made by the members in the committees.

Neuendorf credited the 'very united stance of all UEFA member associations' for the deal's collapse. The Danish DBU went further: president Jesper Møller said he fully agreed with UEFA that trust in Infantino had been lost, and stated plainly, 'Therefore I can no longer support him.' Møller praised UEFA and its president Aleksander Ceferin for speaking with one voice so quickly, noting that UEFA had not only criticized the plans but even threatened a boycott.

The Dutch KNVB released a statement declaring the matter was not settled by the withdrawal. 'The manner in which this process has been conducted has led to a fundamental breach of trust in the leadership style of FIFA president Gianni Infantino,' it said. 'The KNVB no longer has confidence in his leadership.' The English FA, posting on X, called for 'a comprehensive and thorough review of FIFA's leadership and governance to ensure the global game is run transparently.'

This situation demands a serious conversation about the future of governance and leadership within FIFA.

What comes next

UEFA announced it would immediately begin discussions with partners and stakeholders worldwide to press for governance reform. Neuendorf echoed that call, demanding a process where member associations regain control over major decisions. The coordinated statements from Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and England on Saturday signal the deepest crisis of Infantino's presidency since his 2015 election, with trust formally withdrawn by the continental confederation and at least four of its most influential national members.