Lecturer’s bid to challenge FIFA president Infantino

Former university lecturer Peter Auf der Heyde is attempting to challenge FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the upcoming election. The South African journalist and former football club owner is seeking the role without accepting any salary, pledging to only receive $1 annually if elected. Auf der Heyde, who currently lectures in journalism at Southampton Solent University, previously worked as a sports editor at Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur and headed the Grahamstown Soccer Association in his home country.

He believes that an election without a challenger is unacceptable, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency. To challenge Infantino, Auf der Heyde must first secure nominations from five football associations. The deadline for candidates to confirm their candidacy is 18 November. Current and potential rivals for the position include former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Kozo Tashima, and Ramon Vega.

Infantino, who currently earns around $6 million annually, has claimed that he has the support of the majority of world football, but Auf der Heyde argues that the current president's salary is excessive and that he would propose a more modest $450,000 salary for himself. He also intends to introduce an "emerging nations World Cup" for smaller footballing nations, giving countries like Eswatini, Andorra, and San Marino a chance to compete in a global competition where they would otherwise have no chance of qualifying for the World Cup.