English, Spanish, Italian, German football leagues call for Fifa reform

The English Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, and Germany's Bundesliga have joined forces to call for reform within FIFA. The four major European football leagues have expressed concern over FIFA's expanding influence and its potential impact on the integrity of the sport. FIFA, the global governing body, has been facing criticism since a shelved proposal to create a commercial company, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would involve private investors.

In their statement to AFP, the four leagues emphasized the need for "fundamental governance reform" to ensure that decision-making remains free from political interference. They urged FIFA to establish a permanent body representing all stakeholders, including national associations, leagues, clubs, and players. This new body should have a significant role in FIFA's decision-making process and be fully informed about any new initiatives.

The statement further called for transparency and an independent evaluation of major FIFA proposals, covering all stakeholders and assessing the impact on the game's development. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has acknowledged the need for reform, but the four leagues believe that a deeper overhaul is necessary. They have also called for the protection of FIFA's role as the regulator and guardian of the game from commercial activities.

The four leagues are now seeking candidates for the FIFA presidency who will align with their principles within the first 100 days of the next presidential term. As of now, Infantino is the sole candidate for the election scheduled for March 18, 2027. The four leagues, alongside UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC, have issued a joint letter condemning Infantino in August.

Leadership in football should not be about holding power, but rather about empowering all stakeholders to contribute to the growth and development of the sport.