The Premier League, together with three of Europe’s most influential domestic competitions, is set to publish a coordinated appeal on Friday calling for immediate reforms to FIFA’s governance structure in the midst of the ongoing controversy surrounding its president, Gianni Infantino. According to exclusive information obtained by Sky News, the top‑flight English league and the leading leagues from Germany, Italy and Spain will issue a joint statement that stresses the need for broader consultation on pivotal matters, most notably the worldwide football calendar. The wording of the communiqué was still being finalised on Thursday afternoon as the four leagues worked through the details of their collective position.
At this stage it was not yet clear whether the statement would explicitly demand Infantino’s resignation, but all parties agreed that FIFA must adopt a more transparent and accountable decision‑making process that gives leagues a genuine voice. One insider familiar with the negotiations explained, "The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A will release a unified declaration insisting that FIFA introduce stronger independent oversight and grant stakeholders—including domestic leagues—a meaningful role in shaping policy." This demand follows a legal complaint lodged nearly two years ago by the European Leagues Association, which represents the same quartet of leagues, to the European Union over FIFA’s handling of the International Match Calendar.
For several years the Premier League and its continental peers have been at odds with FIFA over the phenomenon known as ‘calendar creep.’ The prospect of more frequent Club World Cups and expanded national‑team tournaments has alarmed the world’s most lucrative domestic competitions, which fear that an overcrowded schedule could erode fan interest, increase player fatigue, and ultimately diminish commercial revenues. Earlier in the week, Sky News reported that Infantino, who appears increasingly confident about retaining his post when the next presidential election rolls around next year, sent a letter to football leaders worldwide indicating his willingness to discuss organisational reform.
Despite this overture, Infantino has faced harsh criticism from club executives and football associations for his proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA’s commercial rights—including 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 was scrapped in July after a wave of global opposition and threats of boycotts against FIFA‑run tournaments.
In the wake of that backlash, several governing bodies—including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean—have publicly called for changes to FIFA’s leadership and governance framework. In a letter obtained by Sky News, Infantino addressed the heads of all 211 FIFA member associations as well as the FIFA Council, stating that he would ask the council whether it wishes to commission an "independent external review of FIFA’s current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements." He also pledged to hold talks with confederations, national associations and other stakeholders to strengthen the decision‑making process.
The proposed review would examine who currently holds authority over major initiatives, clarifying the respective roles of the president, the bureau, the council and the congress, and would look for ways to boost transparency and accountability across the organisation. Infantino emphasized that he would not pre‑judge the outcome of any discussion and suggested that the council could deliberate on the matter at its next meeting, scheduled for the following month. In his communication, Infantino underscored his duty to serve "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." Notably, the letter made no reference to a personal review of his own position; instead, it reaffirmed his intention to remain FIFA president, arguing that his responsibilities are "larger than any individual proposal or disagreement." While the Premier League declined to comment on Thursday, the coordinated stance of the four major leagues signals a growing willingness among domestic competitions to push back against what they see as an increasingly top‑heavy FIFA structure.
The leagues argue that without meaningful input from the clubs that generate the majority of football’s revenue, any reforms will fall short of addressing the real concerns that threaten the sport’s sustainability. The joint statement is expected to reignite debate across the football world about the balance of power between FIFA’s governing bodies and the domestic leagues that command massive audiences, broadcasting deals and sponsorships. If the leagues succeed in securing a seat at the table, it could lead to a more collaborative approach to scheduling, commercial rights allocation and the overall strategic direction of the sport. In addition to the formal appeal, the leagues have hinted at exploring legal avenues should FIFA fail to engage constructively.
Their earlier complaint to the EU, which centred on the International Match Calendar, could serve as a precedent for further action if negotiations stall. The unfolding situation highlights a pivotal moment for global football governance. As the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A prepare to release their joint declaration, the eyes of fans, players and investors alike will be on FIFA to see whether it can adapt its structures to accommodate the voices of its most influential stakeholders, or whether the current impasse will deepen, potentially leading to more radical calls for change.