PARIS.- The four main European leagues – the English Premier Leaguethe Spanish leaguethe Italian Serie A and the German Bundesliga– They called this Friday for a reform of the governance of the FIFAplunged into a crisis since the frustrated opening project to private investors was revealed.
“A fundamental reform of governance is essential to reestablish clear statutory boundaries within FIFA and demonstrably ensure that individual disciplinary files are safe from any political interference,” the four leagues wrote in a statement sent to AFP.
The position of the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, was weakened after promoting without prior consultation the project to create a commercial company, called Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE).
Candidate for his own succession in March 2027, the Swiss leader proposed on Monday “a consultation” to the national federations in order to reform the governance of the body.
“It is true that the president of FIFA has recognized the need for reform, but it is not enough to propose superficial or merely procedural changes after the FFE case,” say the four main European leagues, which describe the FFE project as “one of the most serious abuses of power in the history of the organization.”
The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga propose the launch of “a permanent body” that represents “the national associations, leagues, clubs and players, both in men’s and women’s football.”
A convention in 100 days
This must be “fully informed of new initiatives and play a significant role in FIFA’s decision-making process.”
“Any major FIFA proposal must be based on a clearly defined justification, solid evidence and an independent evaluation – published before any decision – that takes into account players, clubs, leagues and fans, and assesses the impact on all parties involved, as well as on the development of football,” the four leagues also point out.
They also demand “protecting the regulatory role of FIFA with respect to its commercial function.”
The four competitions finally ask the candidates for the FIFA presidency to “subscribe to these principles and, in the first 100 days of the next presidential term, to convene a convention on governance.”
This meeting must be “chaired by an independent personality and bring together the member associations, as well as the entire football community.”
Its objective will be to “present a public report within six months.”
Infantino is, for now, the only candidate for the election for the FIFA presidency scheduled for March 18, 2027, with the presentation of candidatures open until November 18.
Despite the withdrawal of the FFE project, the European confederation (UEFA), the confederation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) and the Asian confederation (AFC) maintain pressure on Infantino, whose departure they demand.
Along these lines, UEFA is preparing a lawsuit for “disloyal administration” against the president of FIFA and is looking for a candidate to confront Infantino.
