The Premier League and three of Europe’s leading domestic leagues have called for “fundamental” reforms to the way FIFA is governed, accusing president Gianni Infantino of promoting what they describe as “exploitative ideas”.
The English top flight joined Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A in demanding changes to make world football’s governing body more “transparent, objective, proportionate and inclusive”.
In a joint statement, the four leagues said they were speaking out because FIFA’s “relentless expansionism” affects football stakeholders worldwide.
They also argued that global growth in football cannot be sustained if the sport’s governing structures are weakened.
Leagues target FIFA governance
The statement comes days after Infantino proposed an external review of FIFA’s operations following the controversy surrounding his failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.
The four leagues described the episode as “one of the biggest abuses of power in FIFA’s history”.
They said the withdrawal of the FFE scheme did not resolve the wider governance concerns that had led to the controversy.
“The FIFA president has now acknowledged the need for reform, but it is not enough for surface-level, process changes to be explored in the aftermath of FFE – fundamental governance reform is essential,” the leagues said.
They called for clearer constitutional boundaries within FIFA and safeguards to ensure disciplinary decisions are protected from political interference.
Balogun case raises political interference concerns
The leagues’ statement also referred to the cancelled suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.
The reference relates to reports that US President Donald Trump contacted Infantino and asked for the striker’s ban to be reviewed.
The four leagues said FIFA’s governance concerns extend beyond the actions of one individual.
“The wider question is whether FIFA’s president should simultaneously wield such regulatory, commercial and political power without effective checks and balances,” they said.
They argued that concentrating regulatory, commercial and political authority in a single office while affected stakeholders have only an advisory role was not an appropriate governance structure.
FIFA has been approached for comment.
What the four leagues want
The Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A called for three major changes:
A permanent stakeholder body representing leagues, clubs and players from men’s and women’s football, with a meaningful role in FIFA decision-making.
Evidence-based decision-making, including independent assessments of major proposals and their impact on stakeholders.
A clear separation between FIFA’s regulatory and commercial functions, supported by independent ethics, financial oversight and electoral bodies.
Long-running dispute over FIFA
The latest confrontation follows a legal complaint filed two years ago by Europe’s top leagues and players’ union Fifpro with the European Commission.
They accused FIFA of abusing its dominant position through the expansion of the international fixture calendar and alleged that stakeholders were not adequately consulted.
FIFA rejected the accusations and accused some European leagues of “hypocrisy” and failing to consider the interests of football stakeholders elsewhere in the world.
The four leagues now argue that the dispute stems from a governance structure that allows Fifa to use its regulatory powers while pursuing commercial objectives.
They said this situation “must change now for the sake of football”.
Infantino faces re-election challenge
Infantino has said he will seek re-election as FIFA president in March, despite calls from three confederations for him to step down.
Potential opponents have until 18 November to identify an alternative candidate.
The four leagues urged candidates to consider their governance proposals, arguing that the debate should focus not only on who leads FIFA but also on how the organisation is governed.
The statement was signed by Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, Bundesliga CEO Marc Lenz, La Liga president Javier Tebas and Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo.
Last month, Masters told BBC Sport that Infantino had “pressed the self-destruct button” and described the FFE controversy as a “self-inflicted wound”.
