The Premier League, together with three of Europe’s most influential domestic competitions, is set to release a coordinated appeal on Friday calling for swift and comprehensive reforms to FIFA’s governance structures in the midst of the ongoing crisis surrounding its president, Gianni Infantino. According to a source at Sky News, the English top‑flight league and the leading leagues of Germany, Italy and Spain will issue a joint statement that stresses the need for greater consultation with key stakeholders on pivotal matters, most notably the worldwide football calendar. The document is still being finalised by the four leagues as of Thursday afternoon, and it remains unclear whether the wording will explicitly demand Infantino’s resignation.
One insider familiar with the negotiations explained: "The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A intend to publish a collective statement insisting that FIFA must adopt reforms that introduce more independent oversight and grant leagues and other stakeholders a genuine voice in the decision‑making process." The move follows a legal complaint lodged almost two years ago by the European Leagues Association – the body that represents the quartet behind Friday’s planned declaration – to the European Union, challenging FIFA’s management of the International Match Calendar. The complaint alleges that FIFA has repeatedly altered the calendar without adequate input from the domestic leagues, creating what many describe as "calendar creep." For several years, the Premier League and its European counterparts have been at odds with FIFA over the prospect of an expanded Club World Cup and the possibility of additional international fixtures. Both scenarios threaten to congest the already packed schedule of the world’s most lucrative domestic competitions, potentially diminishing broadcast revenues, fan engagement and player welfare. Earlier this 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 openness to discussions about reforming the governing body.
In the correspondence, he proposed that FIFA’s Council consider commissioning an "independent external review of FIFA’s current governance framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements." Infantino’s proposal has drawn sharp criticism from a broad swathe of the football industry. His suggestion to sell a 20% stake in FIFA’s commercial rights – including the World Cup – to private investors, among them venture‑capitalist Joshua Kushner, the brother of former U.S.
President Donald Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner, sparked a global backlash. The plan, known as the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was ultimately abandoned in July after intense opposition and threats of boycotts against FIFA‑organised tournaments. In addition to the Premier League’s stance, several continental bodies – UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean – have also called for changes to FIFA’s leadership and governance. The collective criticism underscores a growing consensus that the current system lacks sufficient transparency, accountability and stakeholder representation.
Infantino’s letter, seen by Sky News, also pledged to engage in talks with confederations, national associations and other interested parties to strengthen FIFA’s decision‑making processes. The proposed review would examine who holds authority over major initiatives, delineating the roles of the President, the Bureau, the Council and the Congress, and would explore ways to enhance openness and responsibility across the organisation. While Infantino emphasised that he would not pre‑judge the outcomes of any discussions, he indicated that the proposals could be examined at the Council’s meeting scheduled for the following month. He framed his duty as serving "all 211 member associations fairly, regardless of their position on any individual matter," and argued 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 a review of Infantino’s own tenure.
Instead, 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 joint declaration from the four leagues is expected to amplify calls for a more inclusive governance model that balances the commercial imperatives of domestic competitions with the global ambitions of FIFA.
By demanding a seat at the table for leagues, the statement seeks to ensure that any future modifications to the international calendar or tournament structures are crafted with the input of those who manage the sport’s most valuable assets. Industry observers predict that the combined pressure from Europe’s top leagues, continental confederations and national associations could compel FIFA to adopt a more collaborative approach, potentially reshaping the relationship between the sport’s governing body and its most powerful commercial partners.
As the debate unfolds, fans and clubs alike will be watching closely to see whether FIFA will heed these demands for reform or continue on its current trajectory, a decision that could have lasting implications for the future of football worldwide.