The German Football Association (DFB) is also pushing for consequences regarding the investment plans initiated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which have since been halted. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf stated on Saturday that the events surrounding this project, which Infantino spearheaded, must be fully investigated. He asserted that the FIFA President has acted “autocratically, opaquely, and ultimately irresponsibly in the context of football.” Neuendorf stressed the need for the UEFA and other confederations to ensure that a “fundamentally different culture” enters FIFA-one where decisions are primarily discussed and made by the member associations in their committees.
Previously, the UEFA announced its intention to develop a plan over the coming days and weeks, in cooperation with other confederations. The UEFA indicated that “no option must be ruled out.” The governing body added that the current FIFA leadership has lost the trust of the UEFA, as well as many other members of the football family.
The UEFA also directed its criticisms toward Infantino personally. They noted that when he ran for the FIFA Presidency in 2016, he promised transparency and assured member associations that FIFA’s finances belonged to the associations themselves. The UEFA claims he failed to keep both of these promises. They characterized the deals he attempted to hatch and impose as “shady, negotiated behind closed doors, and lacking in transparency,” despite FIFA possessing reserves exceeding five billion dollars. Furthermore, the UEFA says he failed to use the member associations’ funds for what was stated to be “the benefit of the sport.”
