4 major European leagues demand comprehensive reforms in FIFA's governance

Four of Europe's top football leagues (English, German, Italian, Spanish) have demanded comprehensive reforms in the governance of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), including separating its regulatory and commercial powers and enhancing stakeholder participation in decision-making. This came in a joint statement, the first of its kind, following the controversy over the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" project, which FIFA withdrew.

Four of Europe's top football leagues, namely the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, the Italian Serie A, and the Spanish La Liga, have demanded comprehensive reforms in the governance system of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). This came in a joint statement issued on Friday, the first coordinated move by the four leagues following the controversy sparked by the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" project, which the international federation proposed to expand its commercial operations before withdrawing it last July amid widespread objections. The demands include enhancing stakeholder participation in decision-making, separating FIFA's regulatory and commercial powers, and establishing a permanent body representing key parties in football. The leagues considered that the conditions that led to the controversial project's proposal still exist, and that substantial governance reform is necessary to restore clear constitutional boundaries within FIFA. This move comes at a time when FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing increasing pressure ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for March 2027. Infantino has proposed an independent external review of the governance framework, but the four leagues considered that what is required goes beyond merely adjusting procedures.