Four European leagues demand FIFA governance overhaul and stronger oversight

The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A have jointly demanded changes to FIFA's governance, calling for stronger oversight and a greater role for the organisations affected by its decisions. OneFootball reported on Friday that the four leagues had issued a statement challenging the concentration of commercial and political authority at football's world governing body.

Their proposals include a permanent body that would give football stakeholders actual decision-making power, rather than leave them outside the process when major initiatives are approved. The leagues also want FIFA's regulatory responsibilities separated clearly from its commercial activities. According to OneFootball's account, they argue that domestic competitions need protection from the governing body's expansion.

The statement also sets out a request to candidates for the FIFA presidency: arrange a convention on governance within their first 100 days in office. The leagues are seeking commitments to transparency and independent scrutiny, presenting shared responsibility as a requirement for FIFA's authority rather than simply asking for more consultation on individual projects.

The intervention follows a longer dispute over the international calendar. Sky News reported that the European Leagues Association, including the four leagues involved in Friday's statement, filed a complaint with the European Union nearly two years ago over FIFA's management of the schedule. Concerns include the prospect of more frequent Club World Cups and larger national-team competitions; those possibilities should not be confused with newly approved changes.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has already indicated that he is open to examining the organisation's governance. The Associated Press reported that a letter sent on Monday to FIFA Council members and its 211 member associations proposed asking the council about an independent assessment. The next council meeting is scheduled for October 15, with consultation on strengthening decision-making also proposed.

The reform debate follows the abandonment of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposal involving private investment in the commercial rights to its competitions. Sky News reported that Infantino's letter did not suggest reviewing his own position and instead affirmed his intention to continue as president. He is due to seek re-election next year, while the leagues' new demands remain proposals for institutional change.