The Premier League, together with three of Europe’s most prominent domestic competitions, is set to release a coordinated appeal on Friday demanding swift reforms to FIFA’s governance structures as the organisation grapples with a crisis surrounding its president, Gianni Infantino. According to sources from Sky News, the English top‑flight league will join the German Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga in publishing a joint statement that calls for more robust stakeholder consultation on matters such as the worldwide football calendar and the overall decision‑making process within FIFA. The four leagues are still finalising the exact wording of the communiqué, which was still being negotiated on Thursday afternoon. At present it is unclear whether the statement will explicitly ask Infantino to step down, but all parties agree that FIFA must introduce independent oversight mechanisms and grant leagues a meaningful voice in strategic deliberations.
One insider familiar with the talks explained, “The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A will issue a joint declaration insisting that FIFA restructure its governance to incorporate independent checks and give key stakeholders – including the major domestic leagues – a genuine role in shaping policy.” The move follows a legal complaint lodged almost two years ago by the European Leagues Association – an organization that represents the same four leagues – with the European Union. The complaint challenged FIFA’s handling of the International Match Calendar and alleged that the governing body had overstepped its remit. For several years the Premier League and its continental counterparts have been at odds with FIFA over the phenomenon known as “calendar creep.” This term describes the gradual expansion of international fixtures, including proposals for more frequent Club World Cups and enlarged national‑team tournaments, which threaten to congest the already packed domestic schedules of Europe’s biggest leagues.
League executives fear that an ever‑growing international programme could diminish the commercial appeal of their competitions, erode fan interest, and place undue strain on players. Earlier in the week, Sky News reported that Infantino, who appears increasingly confident about retaining his position when he stands for re‑election next year, sent a letter to football leaders worldwide indicating his willingness to discuss reforms. In that correspondence, the FIFA president suggested that the council consider commissioning an "independent external review of FIFA’s current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements." He also pledged to engage with confederations, national associations and other stakeholders to strengthen the decision‑making apparatus.
Infantino’s outreach comes after a storm of criticism from senior figures in the football industry over his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA’s commercial rights – including the lucrative World Cup broadcasting and sponsorship deals – to private investors. Among the potential buyers mentioned were Joshua Kushner, the brother of Jared Kushner, who is married to former President Donald Trump’s daughter.
The plan, dubbed the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was abandoned in July following a wave of global opposition and threats of boycotts against FIFA‑organized tournaments. The backlash was not limited to clubs and leagues. UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF – which represents nations across North and Central America and the Caribbean – have all called for changes to FIFA’s leadership. In a letter obtained by Sky News, Infantino addressed the heads of all 211 FIFA member associations and the FIFA Council, stating that he would ask the council whether it wishes to launch the aforementioned independent review.
He added that he would be open to dialogue with confederations, member associations and other interested parties on how to improve transparency, accountability and the overall governance model. In his note, Infantino emphasized that any review would examine who currently holds decision‑making power over major initiatives, delineating the respective roles of the president, the bureau, the council and the congress.
He argued that strengthening these structures would benefit the entire football ecosystem, noting that “strong institutions do not wait for their systems to fail before considering how they can be improved.” However, the letter made no reference to a personal assessment of his own tenure, and it reaffirmed his intention to remain FIFA president, asserting that his responsibilities are "larger than any individual proposal or disagreement." The Premier League declined to comment on the matter on Thursday, maintaining its usual policy of speaking through official statements rather than individual interviews. The league’s silence underscores the delicate balance it seeks to strike: advocating for reforms that protect its interests while avoiding a direct confrontation that could further destabilise FIFA’s already fragile leadership. The joint statement from the four leading European leagues is expected to amplify calls for a more inclusive and transparent governance model at FIFA’s upcoming council meeting.
By demanding a seat at the table, the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A hope to ensure that the future of the global football calendar reflects the realities of club football, safeguards player welfare and preserves the commercial viability of their competitions. If FIFA embraces the proposed reforms, the sport could see a clearer separation between club and international obligations, a more predictable schedule for fans and broadcasters, and a governance framework that is accountable to a broader range of stakeholders. Conversely, a failure to address these concerns may deepen the rift between the world governing body and its most powerful domestic partners, potentially leading to further disputes, legal challenges and a loss of confidence among fans worldwide. The outcome of this diplomatic push by Europe’s elite leagues will likely shape the trajectory of football governance for years to come, influencing everything from tournament planning to revenue distribution and the overall health of the beautiful game.