Premier League calls Fifa governance ‘not fit for purpose’ in plea for reform

Men’s Football / 24 September 2026 Cantona would not have signed for United under Ratcliffe 24 September 2026 Football / 24 September 2026 Infantino accused of ‘woefully inadequate’ level of co-operation in US probe into his relationship with Trump 24 September 2026 Men's Boxing / 24 September 2026 Date set for Fury-Joshua fight... finally 24 September 2026 Open Letter / 24 September 2026 From the diaspora to our boys in green – Make us proud, stop the game 24 September 2026 THE Premier League has joined others in calling for fundamental reform of Fifa, saying the organisation’s governance is currently “not fit for purpose.”

Under-fire Fifa president Gianni Infantino has refused to budge despite widespread criticism and calls to quit since his plan for private investment in a commercial vehicle, Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE), to run its tournaments emerged on July 28.

Opposition from three continents forced the abandonment of the FFE plan but European football’s governing body, Uefa, insists it has nevertheless lost confidence in Infantino and says it will work to identify a credible alternative candidate to stand against him in next year’s presidential election.

Infantino has this week pledged to reform Fifa, but the bosses of four of Europe’s major leagues, including the Premier League’s Richard Masters, have now co-signed a statement which said: “It is not enough for surface-level, process changes to be explored in the aftermath of FFE — fundamental governance reform is essential to restore clear constitutional boundaries within Fifa, including confidence that individual disciplinary matters remain demonstrably insulated from political interference.”

That last remark was a reference to the widespread discontent around Fifa’s handling of the Folarin Balogun case, with the United States striker’s one-match ban being suspended to allow him to play a World Cup last-16 match against Belgium.

The suspension of the ban was enacted by Fifa’s disciplinary committee, but US President Donald Trump admitted he had personally called Infantino asking for a “review” of the ban.

The statement this morning — also on behalf of Spain’s LaLiga, the German Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A — called for greater checks and balances at Fifa, including the creation of a permanent body featuring national association, league, club and player representatives with the power of veto over decisions concerning the international match calendar, employment, competitions and football’s core assets.

The leagues say it is essential to rein in what they describe as the “relentless expansionism” of Fifa which “affects everyone.”

“A Fifa governance that concentrates unchecked regulatory, commercial and political power in a single office, while relegating affected stakeholders to mere advisory status, is not fit for purpose,” it said.

Infantino said in an Instagram post on Thursday that he has “never been more determined and committed” to doing “what is right for the game.”

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