The Premier League, together with three of Europe’s most influential domestic competitions, is set to issue a coordinated appeal for sweeping governance reforms at FIFA as the organisation grapples with a deepening crisis 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 release a joint statement on Friday that stresses the need for broader consultation on pivotal matters, most notably the worldwide football calendar.
The four leagues are still finalising the exact wording of the declaration, which was being hammered out on Thursday afternoon. It remains unclear whether the text will explicitly demand that Infantino step down, but the overarching message is unequivocal: FIFA must restructure its decision‑making processes to incorporate independent oversight and grant key stakeholders—especially the major domestic leagues—a genuine voice in shaping the sport’s future. One insider familiar with the negotiations explained, "The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A intend to publish a unified statement insisting that FIFA adopt reforms that provide more independent supervision and that leagues be given a meaningful role in strategic decisions." The comment underscores a shared frustration among the leagues about what they perceive as an increasingly opaque and unilateral governing body.
The move follows a legal complaint lodged almost two years ago by the European Leagues Association, a coalition that includes the four leagues planning the joint statement. The complaint was filed with the European Union, accusing FIFA of mishandling the International Match Calendar and of allowing what the leagues describe as "calendar creep"—the gradual expansion of international fixtures that threatens the stability of domestic competitions.
For years, the Premier League and its European counterparts have been at odds with FIFA over the prospect of more frequent Club World Cups and the enlargement of national‑team tournaments. Both scenarios would compress the already crowded schedule, potentially forcing clubs to play more mid‑week matches, increase player fatigue, and diminish the commercial value of domestic leagues that generate the bulk of football’s revenue. 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, he proposed an "independent external review of FIFA's current governance framework for major strategic initiatives" and pledged to consult with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on how to strengthen decision‑making.
Infantino’s reform overture comes after a storm of criticism from football executives and governing bodies over his suggestion 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, brother of Jared Kushner, the son‑in‑law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The proposal, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was abandoned in July following a wave of global opposition and threats to boycott FIFA‑organised tournaments.
The backlash was not limited to clubs; UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF—all of which represent large swaths of the footballing world—have publicly called for changes to FIFA’s leadership structure. In a letter obtained by Sky News, Infantino wrote to the heads of all 211 FIFA member nations and to the FIFA Council, stating that he would ask the council whether it wishes to launch an independent review of the governing body’s strategic framework and to recommend improvements. He also offered to hold talks with confederations, national associations and other interested parties on how to enhance transparency, accountability and the overall decision‑making process.
The proposed review would examine who currently holds sway over major initiatives, delineating the roles of the president, the bureau, the council and the congress, and would explore ways to make these processes more open and accountable. While Infantino stressed that he would not prejudge the outcome of any discussions, he indicated that the council could consider the proposals at its next meeting, scheduled for the following month.
He framed his responsibility as serving "all 211 member associations fairly, regardless of their position on any individual matter," and added that "strong institutions do not wait for their systems to fail before considering how they can be improved." Notably, 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 FIFA president, arguing that his duties 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 broader context of this dispute reflects a growing tension between the sport’s commercial powerhouses—its elite leagues and clubs—and the governing bodies that oversee international competition. As broadcasting deals, sponsorships and digital rights continue to generate billions of dollars, leagues are demanding a seat at the table that matches their financial contribution to the global game.
They argue that without a say in scheduling and strategic direction, the interests of clubs, players and fans risk being sidelined in favour of administrative agendas. If the joint statement from the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A gains traction, it could compel FIFA to engage in a more substantive dialogue about governance reforms. Such a dialogue might lead to the creation of an independent oversight committee, clearer mechanisms for stakeholder consultation, and perhaps a more balanced distribution of power between the president, the council and the broader football community.
In the meantime, the situation remains fluid. The upcoming joint declaration will be closely watched by clubs, national associations, sponsors and fans alike, all of whom have a vested interest in how the sport’s calendar and governance structures evolve. Whether FIFA will embrace the call for reform or double down on its existing framework will likely shape the trajectory of international football for years to come.