European Top Leagues Criticize FIFA President Infantino, Demand Reforms
The four major European football leagues unite to criticize FIFA President Gianni Infantino, labeling his actions as exploitative and calling for reforms.
Europe's four biggest football leagues — the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga — issued a joint statement calling for urgent governance reform at FIFA, escalating pressure on president Gianni Infantino as he prepares to seek a fourth term.
What the leagues are demanding
The statement, described by the leagues as their strongest joint intervention yet, brands FIFA's current governance as "not fit for purpose" and criticizes what it calls "exploitative ideas" pushed by Infantino, alongside concerns over the expansion of FIFA competitions such as the Club World Cup. The move follows reports that several FIFA Council members had already rejected Infantino's own proposal for an external governance review, which the leagues argue does not go far enough.
The bigger picture
The joint statement marks one of the most public shows of unity yet among Europe's top domestic leagues against FIFA's leadership, reflecting growing frustration over the governing body's calendar expansion and decision-making process. It adds to a mounting crisis around Infantino's presidency just as he seeks to secure another term in charge of world football's governing body.
