DFB president calls for Infantino to leave FIFA leadership

German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has said Gianni Infantino should step down as FIFA president. He said the current head of the organization had seriously damaged football and was no longer fit for the role.

Neuendorf said Infantino had led FIFA for 10 years and established a management culture that required fundamental change. In the DFB president’s view, it would be wrong for someone responsible for the current situation to lead the necessary reform process.

“We have to take him off the field. Gianni Infantino is no longer a suitable candidate for the FIFA presidency. He has caused great harm to football,” Neuendorf said. He also justified his position with the expression, “You can’t put the fox in charge of the chicken coop.”

Infantino had previously proposed a plan to sell some of the broadcasting rights for the World Cup to private investors. The proposal was withdrawn after widespread criticism. Neuendorf’s remarks were reported by Tagesspiegel.