The Premier League has added its voice to a growing chorus of discontent at the top of world football, joining La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A in demanding sweeping, structural reform of the way Fifa is governed.

In a joint statement signed by the chief executives of all four leagues, the clubs are calling on football's world governing body to become — in their words — "transparent, objective, proportionate and inclusive". The noises out of the four competitions are unambiguous: they believe the status quo is no longer tenable.

Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, put his name alongside Marc Lenz of the Bundesliga, Javier Tebas of La Liga and Luigi De Siervo of Serie A on a statement that pulls no punches. It accuses Fifa president Gianni Infantino of having "actively promoted exploitative ideas" and warns that "our sport cannot grow globally if its foundations are undermined".

FFE row the trigger point

The catalyst for the joint declaration is the now-abandoned Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme — an attempt by Infantino to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors that triggered a global outcry from clubs, leagues and supporters alike. The four leagues describe the episode as "one of the biggest abuses of power in Fifa's history" and insist that, although the scheme was eventually withdrawn after sustained pressure, the structural conditions that produced it remain firmly in place.

Infantino has since acknowledged the need for reform and proposed an external review of Fifa's operations, but the leagues are not satisfied. Their statement makes clear that "surface-level, process changes" in the aftermath of the FFE affair are insufficient. What they want, they say, is fundamental governance reform — not a cosmetic tidy-up.

The Balogun affair

The statement also carries an implicit but pointed reference to the case of United States forward Folarin Balogun, whose suspension at this summer's World Cup was cancelled after US President Donald Trump called Infantino asking for the striker's ban to be reconsidered. For the four leagues, that episode is emblematic of a deeper problem: that individual disciplinary matters are not demonstrably insulated from political interference. It is a charge that goes to the heart of whether Fifa can credibly act as both a regulatory and commercial body under the authority of one office.

What the leagues are asking for

The joint statement sets out three specific demands for reform. First, the establishment of a permanent stakeholder body — encompassing leagues, clubs and players from both men's and women's football — with a meaningful role in Fifa's decision-making. Second, evidence-based decision-making, with any major proposal subject to independent impact assessment. Third, a formal separation between Fifa's regulatory function and its commercial arm, with ethics, financial oversight and electoral bodies that are genuinely independent of the Fifa administration and presidency.

The move builds on a legal complaint the top European leagues and players' union Fifpro filed with the European Commission two years ago, in which they alleged an "abuse of dominance" by Fifa over the expansion of the international fixture calendar. Fifa denied the allegation at the time and accused the leagues of acting without consideration for the rest of the world.

Pressure builds ahead of Fifa election

The timing is deliberate. Despite three confederations calling for him to step down, Infantino has confirmed he will stand for re-election in March. Rival candidates have until 18 November to come forward. The four leagues are using that window to shape not just the question of who leads Fifa, but how Fifa should be led — and they are urging candidates to publicly back their reform proposals as a condition of support.

"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 statement reads. It is a direct challenge — and one that, with the market already factoring in the uncertainty around Fifa's leadership, is unlikely to be ignored.

Frequently asked

Why are the Premier League and European leagues calling for Fifa reform?
The four leagues — Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A — say Fifa president Gianni Infantino has concentrated too much unchecked power in one office. They point to the failed Fifa Forward Enterprise scheme, which attempted to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, as a prime example of poor governance.
What changes are the leagues demanding from Fifa?
They want a permanent stakeholder body with real decision-making power, evidence-based assessment of major proposals, and a clear separation between Fifa's regulatory and commercial functions — with independent ethics, financial oversight and electoral bodies that are free from Fifa's administration.
When is the next Fifa presidential election?
Gianni Infantino has confirmed he will stand for re-election in March. Any rival candidates must declare themselves by 18 November. The four leagues are calling on all candidates to publicly back their governance reform proposals.