The Premier League, together with three of Europe’s most prominent domestic competitions, is set to issue a coordinated statement on Friday calling for immediate reforms to FIFA’s governance structure in light of the ongoing controversy surrounding its president, Gianni Infantino. According to sources at Sky News, the English top‑flight league and the leading leagues from Germany, Italy and Spain will jointly demand that FIFA adopt a more consultative approach on critical matters, most notably the worldwide football calendar that dictates when club and international matches are played. The joint communiqué is still being finalised as of Thursday afternoon, with the four leagues working through the precise wording. While it is not yet clear whether the statement will explicitly ask Infantino to step down, insiders confirm that the core message will stress the need for independent oversight and a meaningful role for leagues and other stakeholders in FIFA’s decision‑making processes.
One football industry observer explained, "The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A will release a united statement insisting that FIFA must implement reforms that introduce greater independent supervision and grant leagues a substantive voice in strategic choices." The move follows a legal complaint lodged nearly two years ago by the European Leagues Association – an umbrella group that includes the four leagues planning the Friday announcement – to the European Union. The complaint challenged FIFA’s handling of the International Match Calendar, accusing the governing body of favouring its own interests over those of domestic competitions. The leagues have long been at odds with FIFA over what they describe as "calendar creep," a phenomenon where the international schedule increasingly encroaches on the domestic season, potentially leading to more frequent Club World Cups and expanded national‑team tournaments. Such developments threaten the financial and sporting stability of the world’s most lucrative leagues.
Earlier in the week, Sky News reported that Infantino, who appears increasingly confident about retaining his position when the next presidential election rolls around next year, sent a letter to football leaders worldwide indicating his willingness to discuss organisational reforms. In that correspondence, Infantino suggested that FIFA could commission an "independent external review of its current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements." He also offered to engage in talks with confederations, national associations and other interested parties to strengthen the decision‑making apparatus of the sport’s global authority. Infantino’s tenure has been marked by several contentious proposals, most notably his plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in FIFA’s commercial rights – including those tied to the World Cup – to private investors.
Among the prospective buyers mentioned was Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to former President Donald Trump’s daughter. The so‑called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative sparked a worldwide backlash, with numerous football executives, clubs and fan groups threatening to boycott FIFA‑organised tournaments.
The plan was ultimately abandoned in July after the wave of opposition proved insurmountable. Regional governing bodies have also called for change.
UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF – which represents North America, Central America and the Caribbean – have all voiced concerns about FIFA’s leadership and governance practices. In a letter obtained by Sky News, Infantino wrote to the heads of all 211 FIFA member associations and to the FIFA Council, stating that he would ask the council whether it wishes to launch an independent review of the organisation’s governance framework for major strategic initiatives, and to recommend possible improvements. He pledged to hold discussions with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders to explore ways to enhance transparency, accountability and the overall decision‑making process.
The proposed review would examine who currently holds influence over major initiatives, scrutinising the roles of the president, the executive bureau, the council and the FIFA Congress. It would also look at mechanisms for improving openness and responsibility within the organisation. Infantino stressed that he would not pre‑judge the outcome of any discussions and that any proposals could be debated when the council meets next month.
He framed his responsibility as serving "all 211 member associations fairly, regardless of their position on any individual matter," adding that "strong institutions do not wait for their systems to fail before considering how they can be improved." Despite these overtures, the letter did not contain any language suggesting that Infantino himself would be subject to review or that he might consider stepping aside. Instead, it reaffirmed his intention to remain at the helm of FIFA, arguing that his duties are "larger than any individual proposal or disagreement." The Premier League declined to comment on the matter on Thursday. The broader context of this dispute highlights a growing tension between FIFA and the world’s most powerful domestic leagues. As the sport continues to generate billions of dollars in revenue, the balance of power between the global governing body and the leagues that drive the majority of that income is increasingly being questioned.
The leagues argue that they should have a seat at the table when decisions are made that directly affect their calendars, broadcasting contracts, player welfare and commercial interests. FIFA, on the other hand, maintains that a unified global calendar is essential for the sport’s integrity and for ensuring that international competitions retain their prestige. If the joint statement from the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A is indeed released as planned, it could mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over football governance.
By presenting a united front, the leagues are signalling that they will no longer accept unilateral decisions that could undermine their domestic competitions. Whether this pressure will lead to substantive reforms within FIFA remains to be seen, but the call for greater consultation and independent oversight is likely to resonate across the football world, potentially reshaping how the sport is governed at the highest level.