Leaders of the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A have issued a letter demanding fundamental changes to FIFA's decision-making processes and governance structure.

The heads of four major European football leagues—the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A—released a joint letter this Friday calling for significant reforms to FIFA's governance. The leagues argue that the current structure concentrates too much power in a single office and fails to include key stakeholders in major decisions, such as expansions to the International Match Calendar.

Concerns Over Governance and Influence

The letter follows controversy surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposed 'FIFA Forward Enterprise' (FFE) plan, which aimed to organize tournaments through a commercial vehicle. Although Infantino dropped the plan after opposition from UEFA and other confederations, the league leaders stated that surface-level changes are insufficient. They specifically called for clear constitutional boundaries to ensure disciplinary matters remain insulated from political interference. This demand references the case of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, whose one-match World Cup ban was suspended after U.S. President Donald Trump personally contacted Infantino to request a review. The leagues argue that FIFA's current model, which relegates stakeholders to advisory status, is not fit for purpose.

Upcoming Elections and Legal Disputes

The letter arrives as UEFA seeks a candidate to challenge Infantino in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 18, 2027. UEFA has also initiated legal applications in U.S. courts to disclose documents regarding the FFE plan, citing concerns that the entity may have been undervalued at $20 billion. FIFA has characterized these legal actions as a 'smear campaign.' Infantino intends to discuss his own reform proposals at a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich on October 15. Candidates wishing to challenge him in the upcoming election must register by November 18.