Neuendorf demands a red card for Infantino and slams reform offer

In a Berlin Tagesspiegel interview, Bernd Neuendorf, president of the DFB, appears on camera and speaks sharply about the FIFA chief. He demands that Gianni Infantino receive a red card because his leadership has damaged football. Neuendorf announces that he will not vote for Infantino at the FIFA Congress next March.

Specific Allegations and Reform Demands

Neuendorf called Infantino's reform proposal, addressed to the 211 FIFA member associations, a “transparent maneuver”. He criticized that Infantino has established a culture over the past ten years that requires a fundamental change. The DFB is united in saying that Infantino has squandered all trust.

In the interview with the Tagesspiegel, Neuendorf said: “We have to take him off the field.” By this he means that Infantino must be removed from office. He emphasized that you cannot make the goat the gardener when the same person is steering the reform process.

Vega's bid to overhaul FIFA challenges Infantino's grip on world football

Infantino had previously responded to ongoing criticism by offering talks on possible reforms and announcing in a letter an independent external review of FIFA governance. At the same time, the 56‑year‑old president made clear that he does not intend to step down from his fourth term.

The conflict between UEFA and FIFA had already escalated at the end of August, triggered by the threat of a criminal complaint before Swiss courts over World Cup investor plans. The UEFA presidency, represented by Aleksandar Čeferin, now demands Infantino's resignation, without having named a successor candidate so far.

By November 18, opponents of Infantino must nominate a candidate for the presidential election, which is to be held three months later in Morocco. Neuendorf, however, remains firmly determined to show the “red card” and to fundamentally demand the reform of world football.