Former DFB head Theo Zwanziger fears President Gianni Infantino will rule FIFA for years to come. “This man is on his way to becoming president forever,” the 77-year-old told Deutschlandfunk.

Compare with China and North Korea.

The Altendies lawyer believes that the Swiss will also question the FIFA president’s term limit set under his predecessor, Joseph S. Blatter, in the coming years, in order to secure a seat “like China or North Korea for life.” Infantino’s second term will officially run until 2027, after which he can run for another term until 2031 under the current bylaws.

According to Zwanziger, the Valais man removed all the control mechanisms that had been put in place during Blatter’s reign. Especially in the independent ethics committee, Infantino changed people. He has a network with many allies, but no real critics in countries that depend on FIFA money. “This is Infantino’s method,” Zwanziger said. “You can call it corruption, but it’s just practiced there.”

Zwanziger makes an explicit call to the DFB

That’s why it’s all the more important, Zwanziger told the German Football Association (DFB), not to remain silent about these developments: “Even a minority has an obligation to open their mouths and not shy away from fear of any risk. the only way to make things better. If you remain silent, you will become an ally of evil.”

Zwanziger especially praised DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, who, ahead of Infantino’s re-election at the FIFA Congress last Thursday in Kigali/Rwanda, refused to follow the FIFA boss. Zwanziger: We have character. There is something wrong with us. The decision of the president of the DFB, of the entire DFB, deserves respect.”

This clear signal from the president of the DFB is enough for him: “This is not FIFA as we want it to be. It’s a sign. I don’t think you can expect more from anyone in this situation.” (SID / simple)