Four of Europe's biggest football leagues have joined forces to demand urgent governance reform at Fifa, calling its current governance 'not fit for purpose' as Gianni Infantino prepares to seek a fourth presidential term.
Key facts
- The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga issued a joint statement calling for governance reform at Fifa.
- The leagues described Fifa's governance as 'not fit for purpose' and criticised its 'expansionism'.
- The call follows what the Guardian termed the World Cup sell-off debacle.
- Gianni Infantino is preparing to seek a fourth term as Fifa president.
- The Guardian reported that several Fifa Council members rejected Infantino's proposal for an external governance review.
Four of Europe’s leading football leagues have united to demand major governance changes at Fifa, intensifying pressure on president Gianni Infantino as he prepares to seek a fourth term, according to the Guardian.
The Premier League has joined forces with La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga to issue a strongly worded joint statement calling Fifa’s governance ‘not fit for purpose’. The leagues also criticised what they described as Fifa’s ‘expansionism’ and said they want more input into the organisation’s decisions.
The statement comes in the wake of what the Guardian referred to as the World Cup sell-off debacle, and represents the latest sign of discontent among top European clubs and competitions over how Fifa is run.
According to the Guardian, the leagues’ intervention indicates that Infantino’s willingness to hold an external governance review does not go far enough for his critics. The newspaper previously revealed that several Fifa Council members had rejected that review proposal.
The combined weight of the four leagues, which include some of the most commercially powerful competitions in world football, adds significant pressure on Fifa’s leadership at a moment when Infantino is looking to extend his tenure.
Why it matters
The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga are among the most influential competitions in world football, so their coordinated criticism carries substantial weight. Their demands challenge Fifa's leadership and could shape debates over how the sport is governed as Infantino seeks another term.
Frequently asked questions
Which leagues are calling for Fifa reform?
According to the Guardian, the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga have joined forces to call for urgent governance reform at Fifa.
What do the leagues want changed at Fifa?
The leagues say Fifa's governance is 'not fit for purpose', criticise its 'expansionism' and want more input into decisions, the Guardian reports.
Is Gianni Infantino running for another term?
Yes. The Guardian reports that Infantino is preparing to seek a fourth term as Fifa president.