DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and DFL Chief Hans-Joachim Watzke secured influential positions within FIFA and UEFA, with Neuendorf re-elected to the FIFA Council without opposition and Watzke winning a competitive spot on the UEFA Executive Committee. Lise Klaveness made history as the second woman elected to the UEFA Executive Committee. The appointments reflect ongoing political dynamics, with significant financial implications for the leaders, while FIFA’s recent World Cup allocations raise concerns about the sport’s financial ties to Saudi Arabia.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and DFL Chief Hans-Joachim Watzke have successfully secured their positions in FIFA and UEFA’s influential bodies during the recent UEFA Congress. The elections were notably influenced by various political dynamics.
Neuendorf faced no challengers in his re-election as the UEFA representative on the FIFA Council. During the Congress held on April 3, 2025, in Belgrade, four UEFA members were confirmed for the FIFA Council, with Neuendorf being one of them alongside representatives from Romania, Cyprus, and Montenegro. Additionally, Belgium’s federation president, van Damme, will occupy the reserved female seat on the FIFA Council.
The appointments were met with enthusiastic applause and were made by acclamation, eliminating the need for a formal vote due to the uncontested nature of the positions. These roles offer significant advantages, including the establishment of vital contacts, negotiation opportunities, and information sharing within the UEFA Executive Committee and FIFA Council. Each term spans four years, and these positions ensure Neuendorf and his fellow council members a yearly payment of $250,000 gross. This amount is supplemented by Neuendorf’s DFB salary of approximately €240,000, as he seeks re-election this fall for a three-year term.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (l.) and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf
The FIFA organization has awarded the 2030 World Cup to a coalition of six nations while granting the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. This decision raises concerns about the increasing financial dependence of football on Saudi Arabian funds, with potential repercussions for others involved.
Watzke’s Triumph
In a contrasting scenario, Watzke faced a competitive election for the UEFA Executive Committee, where more candidates than available positions necessitated a vote. Out of eleven contenders for seven spots, Watzke, as the spokesperson for the presidency and chairman of the DFL Supervisory Board, emerged victorious with a significant majority from the 55 member associations.
Following the Congress, Watzke was also appointed as the second UEFA Vice President during the constitutive meeting, with Italian Gabriele Gravina remaining in the first Vice President role.
Watzke continues to embody a ‘multifunctionary’ role; he is seeking re-election as DFL Supervisory Board Chairman this fall, ensuring his position as the 1st DFB Vice President. He will maintain his duties within the UEFA Executive Committee while stepping down from his role with the powerful club association ECA. Currently, Watzke’s primary responsibility is as managing director at Borussia Dortmund, although he has announced his impending departure.
Borussia Dortmund’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke
Furthermore, two half-term positions were filled following the early departures of individuals from Spain and Ukraine due to misconduct and corruption allegations, respectively. Their positions were subsequently filled by representatives from Spain and Israel.
Moshe Zuares, President of the Israeli Association
The Political Landscape
Successful candidates must achieve an absolute majority of the valid votes and outpace at least four other competitors to secure their positions. The voting behavior reflects numerous political considerations:
Since 2017, UEFA Executive Committee members receive an annual salary of €160,000. In addition to his Dortmund income and UEFA compensation, Watzke also receives around €75,000 from the DFB, though he has chosen to forgo a third of this payment.
Vice presidents of UEFA enjoy a salary of €250,000 per year. Notably, the UEFA President’s salary reached CHF 3.25 million in 2023/24, an increase from CHF 2.875 million the previous year.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his desire to see Russia reinstated in international football, although resistance remains within UEFA.
Klaveness Makes History
In a significant milestone, Lise Klaveness, the president of Norway’s football federation, was elected to the UEFA Executive Committee, becoming only the second woman to hold this prestigious position. She was the sole candidate for the newly established second quota position and was appointed by acclamation. This quota position, introduced in 2016, aims to enhance female representation within UEFA.
Klaveness has been a vocal advocate for human rights, equality, and transparency in football governance. Despite facing challenges during her campaign, she has now successfully secured her place within the Executive Committee.
Throughout her career, Klaveness has consistently pushed for accountability and transparency in federation politics, often finding herself at odds with FIFA under Infantino’s leadership. Her previous attempts to gain a position within UEFA were met with limited support, but she now stands as a member of the committee.
Norway’s federation president Lise Klaveness