If Bernd Neuendorf is elected President of the German Football Association (DFB), favorite Bernd Neuendorf is not seeking seats in the top bodies of the world association FIFA and the European Football Union (UEFA).
The 60-year-old, who is very likely to be elected in the Bundestag on March 11, would like to keep his opponent Peter Peters (FIFA Council) and the current DFB interim president Rainer Koch (UEFA Executive Committee) in their positions with the associations.
“We have two experienced representatives at UEFA and FIFA. They were both elected by UEFA, I respect that too,” Neuendorf told Sport Bild, referring to the two controversial officials: “These places would not automatically be restored if they were recalled go to Germany. There would be a risk of losing international influence in your own country just before the European Championships.” The final round of the European Championship will take place in Germany in 2024.
Should Neuendorf’s will be implemented, Peters (59) would remain on the FIFA Council until 2024 – although he would no longer hold an office in the DFB. Koch (63), who will probably continue to be a member of the DFB executive committee, will sit on the UEFA Executive Committee until 2025.
Neuendorf’s plan seems risky. After all, Peters and Koch would have to put their differences aside in order to be able to credibly represent common DFB positions in the committees.