Ex-Politician Bernd Neuendorf Is New Boss Of Embattled German Football Association

Former politician Bernd Neuendorf was on Friday voted in as the new president of the embattled German Football Association.

Former politician Bernd Neuendorf was on Friday voted in as the new president of the embattled German Football Association (DFB). The 60-year-old succeeds Fritz Keller, who resigned in May 2021 amid a scandal after comparing his deputy to a notorious Nazi-era judge. Prior to that, there had been a power struggle at the top lasting months which saw general secretary Friedrich Curtius resign. Neuendorf was voted in by a clear majority at a meeting in Bonn. He called for unity after years of turbulent scandals have dogged the German FA. "We have to keep the shop together," he said.

"Anyone who doesn't go along with the cultural change will have me as a staunch opponent."

Neuendorf has his work cut out repairing the image of Germany's largest sports body which has over seven million members.

Three of his most recent predecessors resigned in the wake of scandals.

Before Keller, Reinhard Grindel quit in 2019 after three controversial years.