The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga have issued a joint statement that puts unprecedented pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he prepares to seek a fourth term. The four leagues accuse FIFA’s current governance structure of being “not fit for purpose” and warn that the president’s pursuit of expansionist initiatives threatens the very foundations of the global game.

Source: i.guim.co.uk

European Leagues Unite Against Infantino

In a strongly worded communiqué released ahead of the November 18 deadline for presidential candidates, the leagues argue that Infantino’s willingness to entertain an external governance review falls far short of what is needed. They point to recent revelations that several FIFA council members rejected that very proposal, underscoring a lack of genuine commitment to change.

The statement reads, in part: “Football’s longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem, whereby FIFA’s president has actively promoted exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them.” The leagues reference the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme as a symptom of deeper dysfunction, noting that while stakeholders forced its withdrawal, the conditions that enabled it remain.

Key Demands for FIFA Reform

The leagues are calling for three concrete governance changes that they insist must be endorsed by the next FIFA president:

• Establishment of a permanent decision‑making body within FIFA that includes representatives from national associations, leagues, clubs and players.
• A binding commitment to publish the reasoning behind major decisions well in advance, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• A clear separation of FIFA’s regulatory functions from its commercial operations to prevent conflicts of interest.

They argue that a system where “unchecked regulatory, commercial and political power” resides in a single office while stakeholders are relegated to advisory status is fundamentally flawed and must be overhauled.

Broader Context: Calendar Congestion and Legal Battles

The governance critique is set against a backdrop of growing friction over the congested international match calendar. The leagues contend that the proliferation of new competitions—most notably the revamped Club World Cup—has exacerbated fixture congestion, placing undue strain on players and clubs.

This tension is not new. Two years ago, the European Leagues lobby group filed a legal complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusive practices. That complaint has since been expanded to cover the women’s game, signaling a broader challenge to FIFA’s authority across both men’s and women’s football.

Electoral Implications and the Path Forward

With Infantino currently the only declared candidate for the forthcoming March election, the leagues warn that a lack of opposition could entrench the status quo. They urge all prospective candidates to publish detailed reform programmes, engage in open debate, and adhere to fair election rules. Furthermore, they insist that FIFA’s financial, legal, communications, marketing and development funds must remain strictly neutral and never be used to confer an electoral advantage.

The statement concludes with a call for an independently chaired governance convention to be convened within the first 100 days of the next presidential mandate, mandated to report publicly within six months. Such a convention, they argue, would provide the inclusive, transparent platform needed to restore confidence in FIFA’s stewardship of the sport.