r/NetherlandsWorldCup • u/oranjemania • 16h ago
Opinion Johan Derksen is remarkably positive: 'But it's a tough fight' [Dutch, translation below]
Johan Derksen praises the KNVB for the resistance it offers Gianni Infantino. The Dutch Football Association wants to organize a summit in Amsterdam to discuss the future of FIFA without President Infantino. The podcast De Greetings from Grolloo talks about the plan.
'The KNVB always meekly followed UEFA and FIFA. They did not make a fuss when a World Cup was played in Qatar, where human rights were violated. FIFA had promised that no more World Cup would be held where human rights were violated and they had not yet said it or Saudi Arabia would get the next World Cup,' Derksen kicks off.
The seasoned analyst is amazed by the Infantino. 'Death sentences are handed out there every day and it is of course a bad country. But they have money there and Infantino is hungry for it. He has gone completely crazy. He came up with the peace prize to give it to Trump,' he says.
Derksen responds to the KNVB's plan for a top consultation in the Netherlands. 'I think it's very good that the KNVB is finally making itself heard, but they are now leading the rebellion. So they want a top meeting in Amsterdam with the European countries without Infantino. Well, I don't believe it will be successful. I think it's a dead end fight,' the analyst thinks.
The former footballer praises the association for the initiative, but gives the plan little chance of success. 'I think it is in any case serious and characterful that they are now resisting. But I think that what the Netherlands is doing on stage is very cool, but they are not achieving anything.'