A joint statement from Europe's top leagues has criticised "exploitative ideas" promoted by Gianni Infantino and called for essential reform of FIFA's governance structure. This summer, Infantino was forced to abandon a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup after widespread backlash and legal action from UEFA. In a recent letter, Infantino expressed openness to an independent review and stated his responsibilities extend beyond individual proposals. A FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 2027.
The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A have demanded a new governance model that is transparent, objective, and inclusive. They outlined three key commitments: involving stakeholders in decision-making, ensuring evidence-based decisions with published explanations, and separating FIFA's commercial functions from its regulatory role.
The leagues accused Infantino of promoting exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding football, referencing the controversial FFE scheme and the decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play despite a red card, allegedly influenced by Donald Trump. They stress that fundamental reform is needed to restore constitutional boundaries and prevent political interference in disciplinary matters.
The leagues urge FIFA presidential candidates to publish reform programmes, stating: "Now is the moment to decide not only who will lead FIFA, but also how FIFA should be led."
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing