March 28 – Bernd Neuendorf will retain his presidency of the German FA (DFB) after he gained the backing from both the professional and amateur clubs.
The regional and state associations as well as the DFL have nominated the 63-year-old for re-election at the Bundestag on November 7 in Frankfurt am Main, the DFB confirmed on Thursday.
In a statement, DFL chairman and DFB Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke, who is considered the most powerful official in German football, endorsed Neuendorf: “Since Bernd Neuendorf was elected President in 2022, the DFB has successfully repositioned itself and, in close cooperation with Stephan Grunwald, has developed positively both in terms of sport and economically. Furthermore, a very trusting collaboration has developed between the DFB and the DFL. The DFL Executive Committee therefore unanimously supports Bernd Neuendorf in the election.”
Neuendorf came to power in March 2022 succeeding Wolfgang Niersbach who had resigned. A former journalist, Neuendorf brought a measure of stability to the scandal-ridden organisation but his role in the FIFA Council often drew scrutiny. The German FA and national team took a stance before and during the World Cup in Qatar over human rights abuses and discrimination, but the DFB has shied away from any criticism of Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 World Cup.
Some of the build-up to that host award on December 11 last year coincided with Germany’s failed bid to co-host the 2027 Women’s World Cup with Belgium and the Netherlands. Brazil was awarded the tournament, seen as a consolation for the region after Conmebol relinquished dreams of a centenary 2030 World Cup, which in turn, allowed FIFA to fast-track Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 finals.
With most observers agreed that the joint bid was comfortably the best and most coherent bid for 2027 (FIFA politics trumped the impartial process), Germany has instead turned its attention to bidding for the Women’s Euro in 2029.
As well as the profession game, Neuendorf also has the support of the amateur clubs. Ronny Zimmermann, the First Vice President of the DFB for Amateur Football and Regional and State Association Affairs, said: “Bernd Neuendorf has kept his promise of three years ago. He is a president of all of German football; he has put football back at the center of attention, bringing grassroots and elite together again. Under his leadership, the association has consolidated itself – personnel-wise, structurally – and, together with treasurer Stephan Grunwald and the staff, also economically. The mood at the grassroots level has changed significantly; the amateurs are behind him.”
Next week, at the UEFA Congress, Neuendorf will also retain his seat on the FIFA Council.
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