Four leagues unite against Infantino

The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga have issued a strongly worded statement calling for urgent governance reform at Fifa as Gianni Infantino prepares to seek a fourth presidential term.

Fifa governance 'not fit for purpose'

The four leagues argue that Fifa's president has actively promoted exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them, concentrating unchecked regulatory, commercial and political power in a single office.

“A Fifa governance that concentrates unchecked regulatory, commercial and political power in a single office, while relegating affected stakeholders to mere advisory status, is not fit for purpose.”

The World Cup sell-off scandal

The call for reform follows the World Cup sell-off debacle, known as the Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, which stakeholders forced Fifa to withdraw but the underlying governance problems remain unresolved.

Concerns over political interference

The leagues reference the Folarin Balogun case to demand more checks and balances ensuring that individual disciplinary matters remain insulated from political interference.

Three specific reforms demanded

The leagues want a permanent decision-making body including representatives from national associations, leagues, clubs and players; advance publication of reasoning behind major decisions; and separation of regulatory functions from commercial operations.

Infantino's review doesn't go far enough

The leagues say Infantino's willingness to hold an external governance review is insufficient, with several Fifa council members already rejecting that proposal as inadequate.

Election timeline and unopposed concerns

The deadline for presidential candidates to declare is November 18, with the election in March. Infantino is currently the only declared candidate, raising concerns he may be re-elected unopposed.