FIFA’s Gianno Infantino letter is ploy for re-election, says German FA chief

The move comes after Gianni Infantino abandoned a controversial plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including the World Cup. | Photo Credit: AFP

German FA (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has dismissed FIFA chief Gianni Infantino’s latest overture to member associations as a transparent attempt to shore up support ahead of next year’s presidential election.

In a letter circulated to all 211 national federations and FIFA Council members, Infantino offered to commission an independent external review of how FIFA takes major strategic decisions and said he would consult confederations and other stakeholders on strengthening governance.

The move comes after he abandoned a controversial plan to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights, including the World Cup, following fierce opposition and boycott threats from UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF.

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Neuendorf, who also sits on the FIFA Council, said that while the episode shows FIFA now recognises the need for change, Infantino has “squandered all credibility” and is not the right person to lead any reform process. He described the letter as a “transparent ploy” to secure re-election in March 2027.

Infantino, who is seeking a fourth term, has insisted in the letter that members’ positions on governance issues will not affect their access to FIFA’s development and solidarity funding.

UEFA and other critics have been pushing for a credible alternative candidate and for curbs on the president’s powers, though sources suggest Infantino still commands enough votes to win unless a strong challenger emerges.