Europe's top football leagues have issued a joint statement criticizing FIFA President Gianni Infantino for promoting what they describe as "exploitative ideas" and have demanded essential reforms to the governing body of football. This comes after Infantino faced backlash earlier this summer that resulted in the abandonment of a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, which also led UEFA to consider legal action against FIFA.
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In a recent letter to FIFA members, Infantino expressed a willingness to undergo an independent external review of the controversial plan, asserting that his duties extend beyond any one proposal. The upcoming FIFA presidential election is set for March 2027.
The leaders of the Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, and Serie A are advocating for a new governance structure that prioritizes transparency and inclusivity. They highlight three key commitments they wish to see in place: involvement of key stakeholders—such as national associations, leagues, clubs, and players—in FIFA's decision-making processes; evidence-based decisions that are publicly explained; and a clear separation between FIFA's commercial interests and its regulatory responsibilities.
The leagues argue that the integrity of football has been undermined by governance issues within FIFA, stating that the organization's president has prioritized exploitative initiatives over safeguarding the sport. They mention that while the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme was withdrawn due to public outcry, the underlying conditions that prompted its introduction persist.
The statement also references FIFA's controversial choice to allow Folarin Balogun to participate in a World Cup match despite a prior red card. Reports indicated that former U.S. President Donald Trump had intervened in discussions regarding Balogun's ban.
Gary Neville, a prominent football figure, criticized this decision as a "stain on FIFA" after Trump's involvement was revealed.
The leagues assert that the future of FIFA is crucial for the overall growth of football, emphasizing that the governance issues extend beyond the actions of any single person. They question whether the president should hold such extensive regulatory and commercial power without effective oversight from stakeholders.
More than a decade ago, FIFA initiated reforms after various criminal proceedings involving senior officials, yet the leagues claim that significant abuses of power remain a concern. They have called on candidates for the upcoming presidential election to outline their reform plans, stressing the importance of leagues in shaping FIFA’s leadership and governance moving forward.
The letter was signed by Richard Masters, CEO of the Premier League; Marc Lenz, CEO of Bundesliga; Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga; and Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Serie A.