The Premier League has joined La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A in calling for fundamental reforms to the governance structure of FIFA, world football’s governing body. 

The four leagues made the demand in a joint statement on Friday, calling for a more transparent, objective, proportionate and inclusive system of governance.

The statement followed controversy surrounding FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s now-withdrawn FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which involved plans to create a commercial company to manage World Cup-related business with private investors.

The leagues said the withdrawal of the proposal had not resolved what they described as wider governance concerns within FIFA. They called for reforms that would establish clearer constitutional boundaries and provide stronger checks and balances on the powers of the FIFA presidency. 

“FIFA’s governance problem goes far beyond the role of one individual,” the leagues said, arguing that the organisation’s regulatory, commercial and political powers should not be concentrated in a single office without effective oversight.

They also called for greater involvement of leagues, clubs, players and national associations in FIFA’s decision-making processes.

Among the proposals are the establishment of a permanent body representing key football stakeholders, greater transparency around major decisions and the separation of FIFA’s regulatory responsibilities from its commercial operations. 

The leagues also called for safeguards to ensure that individual disciplinary matters remain insulated from political interference.

The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of Infantino ahead of the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 2027. Infantino has indicated that he intends to seek another term, while FIFA has also proposed an independent review of its governance framework. 

The Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A urged candidates for the FIFA presidency to support fundamental governance reforms and said the future of global football required stronger institutional accountability.