Germans won't back Infantino's re-election, urging concrete action for human rights

November 17 – The German football federation (DFB) has said it will not support the re-election of Gianni Infantino as FIFA president, reiterating its demand for the creation of a compensation fund for migrant workers in Qatar.

On the eve of the World Cup, the DFB, one of the most powerful European football associations, declared that it would not "nominate a candidate for the presidency of FIFA", de facto refusing to support Infantino as he seeks a next term in Congress in Kigali in 2023.

In a statement, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said: "The fact is that many associations have already signaled their support for outgoing President Gianni Infantino. Nevertheless, with this decision we want to express that we would have liked that FIFA is more clearly committed to human rights and more committed to humanitarian issues.

"The DFB expects transparent decision-making processes within FIFA and maintains its demands regarding the creation of a compensation fund for relatives of workers who died or were injured on World Cup construction sites. It continues to advocate for the establishment of a labor center for migrants in Qatar."

The DFB added that it would engage in "constructive dialogue" in Congress. The decision of the German FA will deal a slight blow to the FIFA president. Infantino is set to win re-election with Confederation of African Football (CAF) and South America's governing body Conmebol backing the incumbent. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has also expressed its support for Infantino.

In 2016, Infantino became FIFA President, beating Sheikh Salman in the election, following the departure of Sepp Blatter. He was re-elected unopposed in 2019 for a full four-year term.

Contact the author of this story at moc.l1668701972labto1668701972ofdlr1668701972owedi1668701972sni@i1668701972tnuk.1668701972ardni1668701972mas1668701972