The four main European leagues are demanding a thorough reform of FIFA

The signatories emphasized that the International Federation of Association Football was in a deep crisis after revealing a plan to create a commercial entity available to private investors.

"A fundamental governance reform is necessary to restore clear statutory constraints within FIFA and to credibly ensure that individual disciplinary proceedings are free from political pressure," the four leagues said in a statement sent to French news agency AFP.

The strong stance came when FIFA president Gianni Infantino, weakened by the controversy surrounding the "FIFA Forward Enterprise" (FFE) project, proposed consultations with national associations on management reform.

“While the FIFA president has recognized the need for reform, merely considering superficial or procedural changes in the wake of the FFE scandal is insufficient,” say the four major European leagues, calling the FFE project “one of the most serious cases of abuse of power in the history of the organization.”

A call for a new decision-making body

The Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A call for the establishment of a permanent body that would represent the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs and players - both in men's and women's football. The new body would be "fully informed about new initiatives and play an important role in FIFA's decision-making process."

"Any significant proposal by FIFA must be based on clearly defined reasoning, evidence and an independent assessment - published before any decision is made - that takes into account the interests of players, clubs, leagues and fans and considers the impact on all stakeholders, as well as on the development of football," the four leagues said.

Reformers also call for "the separation of FIFA's regulatory function from its commercial activities."

The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga also appeal to the candidates for the position of FIFA president to "adopt these principles and convene - within the first 100 days of the new term of office - a conference on governance issues.

The event, chaired by an independent chair and attended by representatives of member countries and the wider football community, would aim to produce and publish a report within six months.

Infantino is the only candidate for now

Swiss Gianni Infantino is currently the only candidate in the elections for FIFA president, scheduled for March 18, 2027. The deadline for submitting candidacies is November 18.

Despite the withdrawal of the FFE project, the European confederation (UEFA), the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) continue to call for Infantino's departure.

Therefore, UEFA is preparing a complaint against the FIFA president, accusing him of "disloyal management", and has started looking for a candidate who could run against him in the elections.