Seoul Gazette - English, Spanish, Italian, German football leagues call for FIFA reform

The sport's governing body has been mired in crisis since the revelation of a plan, since shelved, to create a commercial company FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), which would be open to private investors.

"Fundamental governance reform is essential to restore clear constitutional boundaries within FIFA, including confidence that individual disciplinary matters remain demonstrably insulated from political interference," the four leagues wrote in a statement sent to AFP.

"We are speaking up together, as founding members of European Leagues and the World Leagues Association, because we understand how FIFA’s relentless expansionism affects everyone."

The statement comes just days after FIFA president Gianni Infantino -- who has come under fire since the FFE plan to bring private investment into the men's and women's World Cups -- proposed "a consultation" of the national federations in order to reform the body’s governance.

"The FIFA president has now acknowledged the need for reform, but it is not enough for surface-level, process changes to be explored in the aftermath of FFE," stated the four main European leagues, who went on to describe the project as "one of the biggest abuses of power in FIFA’s history".

The four leagues, however, steered away from putting all the blame on Infantino's shoulders.

"FIFA’s governance problem goes far beyond the role of one individual," they said.

They propose the creation of a permanent body representing national associations, leagues, clubs and players, from across men’s and women’s football.

"This new body must be fully informed about new initiatives and have a meaningful role in FIFA’s decision-making process," they added.

"Any major FIFA proposal must begin with a clearly defined rationale, supporting evidence and an independent assessment, published in advance of any decision, covering players, clubs, leagues and supporters, and evaluating the impact on all stakeholders and the development of football."

They also called for the protection of FIFA’s role "as regulator and guardian of the game" from its commercial activities.

The four leagues put a call out for candidates for the FIFA presidency who will endorse their principles "within the first 100 days of the next presidential mandate".

For now, Infantino is the sole candidate for the FIFA presidential election scheduled for March 18, 2027, with the submission of candidacies open until November 18.

UEFA, alongside North American body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), issued a no-holds-barred joint letter against Infantino in August.

"Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding -- or demanding -- power to be held," they wrote.

However, Infantino is not without friends -- 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia came out in support last month, with African football's governing body CAF and South America's CONMEBOL also supportive.

H.Yoon--SG