Four European leagues demand independent oversight and a stronger voice at FIFA

The Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A have issued a joint call for changes to FIFA's governance, seeking stronger oversight and a formal role for leagues, clubs and players in decisions. BBC Sport reported that the four competitions want reforms extending beyond an external review proposed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the withdrawal of a plan to sell a World Cup stake to private investors.

The leagues' statement argues that the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme exposed problems in the governing body's structure that remain unresolved. They contend that too much regulatory, commercial and political authority is concentrated in the presidency, without sufficient checks or agreement from those affected. Those criticisms are the leagues' position; BBC Sport said FIFA had been approached for a response to the statement.

A central proposal is the creation of a permanent body representing stakeholders across men's and women's football, including players, clubs and leagues. The signatories want that body to have a substantive part in FIFA's decisions rather than simply offering advice. They also call for major proposals to undergo independent assessments examining their effects on the different groups involved in the sport.

The statement additionally seeks institutional safeguards separating FIFA's regulatory responsibilities from its commercial activities. Its demands include ethics, financial oversight and electoral bodies independent of the administration and presidency. The leagues also want disciplinary cases protected from political influence, making oversight of individual decisions part of their wider demand for structural change.

The intervention follows a separate dispute over the international fixture calendar. BBC Sport reported that European leagues and players' union Fifpro filed a complaint with the European Commission two years ago, alleging FIFA had abused its dominant position through expansion and insufficient consultation. FIFA denied that allegation and accused some leagues of disregarding the interests of others around the world.

The new letter was signed by Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, Bundesliga chief executive Marc Lenz, La Liga president Javier Tebas and Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo. With Infantino saying he will seek re-election in March, the leagues are asking presidential candidates to back their proposals. According to BBC Sport, his opponents have until 18 November to identify an alternative candidate.