The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga have called for sweeping and fundamental governance reforms at FIFA, stating that the governing body's current structure is not fit for purpose. The four leading European leagues are demanding that stakeholders be given a greater role in decision-making as scrutiny mounts over the organization's leadership.
The push for reform includes a critique of expansionism and demands for measures to ensure that disciplinary matters remain demonstrably insulated from political interference. These calls follow a failed plan by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Pressure on Infantino continues to mount as he prepares to seek a fourth term as president. While the leagues stopped short of calling for his resignation, they indicated that his willingness to hold an external governance review does not go far enough, especially after several FIFA Council members reportedly rejected the proposal.
This situation marks the latest rift between football leagues and Infantino, whose largest projects have been viewed as attacks on domestic football and were successfully resisted by a backlash from European officials.