Frankfurt / Main (dpa) – Bernd Neuendorf or Peter Peters. There is a clear favorite in the election of the new DFB President. Nevertheless, several questions are open before the Bundestag of the German Football Association in Bonn.
It has to be elected because Fritz Keller had to resign almost a year ago. The 64-year-old has only been in office since 2019 – and the fourth DFB president since 2012 who did not leave voluntarily.
Who is standing for the election of the DFB President?
Bernd Neuendorf (60) used to work as State Secretary in the NRW Family Ministry. Since he was only elected President of the Mittelrhein Association in 2019, he is considered a career changer in the football business. Peter Peters (59), on the other hand, has been active for decades, including several years as CFO of FC Schalke 04 and in top positions in the German Football League and the DFB. Most recently, he was head of the DFL supervisory board and was therefore one of two interim presidents of the DFB in the meantime. Both were proposed by the Westphalia Football and Athletics Association. Neuendorf is supported by the amateur base, Peters by professional football.
Who vote?
The DFB describes the Bundestag as “quasi the German football parliament”. 262 delegates from the presidium and board (47), the regional and state associations (140) and the German Football League (74) are entitled to vote. Honorary President Egidius Braun has one vote. In the first ballot, the absolute majority applies, with more than one candidate (as on Friday) a secret ballot is held. In the past, that wasn’t necessary – the president had already been determined by prior agreements, and the only thing the Bundestag did was to applaud vigorously for confirmation. Due to the voting majority of the amateurs, Neuendorf is the clear favorite in the voting.
Which positions are still to be filled?
After the DFB president, a new treasurer and a new 1st vice president will be elected, as well as other vice positions in the executive committee. The two presidential candidates have committed to their respective teams. Neuendorf starts with Stephan Grunwald, Peters with Ralf Viktora as possible treasurer. If elected, Neuendorf also wants to see former international Célia Šašić as Vice President for Diversity and Diversity. Silke Sinning (Team Peters) and Rainer Koch are also applying for a vice position. This is the current 1st Vice President. The DFB writes: “Furthermore, the following are elected or confirmed: Presidium and board of directors, legal bodies, ethics committee, audit committee and remuneration and advisory committee.”
Who succeeds the former General Secretary Friedrich Curtius?
After the separation from Curtius in the course of the resignation of Fritz Keller, Heike Ullrich held the highest full-time position. Neuendorf wants to leave it at that, Peters has not yet announced who it would be with him. Previously, the DFB Bundestag appointed the General Secretary. For Friday, however, there is an application for the post to be appointed by the DFB Presidium at the suggestion of the DFB President. “This is intended to promote closer and trusting cooperation between the highest honorary office and main office in the DFB,” writes the association. That was no longer possible between Curtius and Keller early on.