The Dutch soccer association, the KNVB, has distanced itself from FIFA President Gianni Infantino—and at the same time launched a push for reform of the world governing body.
“We believe that FIFA needs new leadership starting in 2027. However, a new president alone is not enough. The way FIFA is run must also change,” the association said in a statement on Sunday. To that end, the KNVB plans to host a “Future Summit” in Amsterdam.
“For us, this discussion must be about more than just Gianni Infantino. The crucial question is: What kind of FIFA does soccer need? Our goal is clear: a strong and credible FIFA that belongs to soccer, serves its members, and further develops the sport worldwide,” the association wrote.
Three Proposals for Improvement
The KNVB specifically outlined three proposals for improvement: a better separation of powers, a global soccer code that places greater emphasis on social aspects such as human rights and fairness, and 90 percent of distributable revenue to be reinvested in soccer.
However, the KNVB emphasized that this should not be “a European plan for the rest of the world. “We want to develop this new direction together with the 211 FIFA member associations and the confederations from around the world.”
Invitation to the Discussion
Therefore, the Dutch are proposing “an international summit on the future of FIFA.” After all, they said, it must first be determined “what kind of FIFA we want. Only then can we identify the leaders who can implement this change.”
It remains to be seen who will accept the invitation to the discussion. However, the KNVB noted that it has already shared its vision with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.
