Headline: University Lecturer Peter Auf der Heyde Aims to Challenge Gianni Infantino for FIFA Presidency
University lecturer Peter Auf der Heyde is initiating an ambitious campaign to contest for the FIFA presidency against the current incumbent, Gianni Infantino.
The former journalist and football club owner is pursuing a nomination to challenge Infantino, and he has stated that he would only require a salary of $1 per year if elected.
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Auf der Heyde is a journalism lecturer at Southampton Solent University and has previously served as the sports editor for the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) in Germany.
He also held the position of president of the Grahamstown Soccer Association in South Africa and owned and managed the second-division team UDW FC during the early 1990s.
“I feel very strongly that there needs to be a challenge in any election,” Auf der Heyde told BBC Radio Solent.
“There should not be an uncontested election, and in this case, Infantino needs to be challenged. It’s important for accountability and transparency.”
To officially become a candidate against Infantino, Auf der Heyde must secure nominations from five football associations.
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Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also mulling a bid against Infantino, who has faced calls to resign following a controversial proposal to sell stakes in FIFA’s competitions to private investors.
Infantino has asserted that he has the backing of the “vast, vast majority” in world football and has dismissed inquiries regarding any thoughts of resigning.
Seeking his fourth and final term in office, Infantino faces competition from Kozo Tashima, honorary president of the Japan Football Association, and former Tottenham Hotspur and Switzerland defender Ramon Vega.
The deadline for candidates to officially declare their candidacy against Infantino for the March 2027 election is set for 18 November.
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“I’m not asking for countries to vote for me, I’m asking for them to nominate me,” Auf der Heyde stated.
“Once you have a nomination and become an official candidate, you can then ask questions [to other candidates] that you can’t ask otherwise.
“Infantino earned around $6m last year, which I think is ridiculous. I would suggest that $450,000 is a very adequate salary, and in my case, I would ask to be paid $1 per year and after four years if I have maintained my promises, then I can receive the remaining money.”
‘Emerging nations World Cup’ part of manifesto
Auf der Heyde disclosed that he has sent letters to all 211 FIFA member associations, receiving responses from the Jamaican and English Football Associations thus far.
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He outlined his manifesto for the presidency in three sections, with a significant focus on establishing a new global competition for smaller footballing nations.
Currently, only 48 nations qualify for the men’s World Cup every four years, leaving 163 nations without a spot.
“I’d like to see an emerging nations World Cup,” Auf der Heyde expressed, indicating his experience covering 13 consecutive Africa Cup of Nations as a journalist.
“This would be for countries like Eswatini, Andorra, and San Marino, which will likely never qualify for the World Cup.
“They should have the opportunity to compete in a global competition reserved for such nations.
“It would be fantastic if the winning teams from that competition could also qualify for the World Cup.”
