Pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to intensify, with four of Europe’s major domestic leagues preparing a joint call for sweeping changes to world football’s governing body.
The Ligue 1 news
England’s Premier League, alongside the top divisions in Germany, Italy and Spain, are expected to issue a shared statement on Friday demanding a deeper reform process at FIFA.
The four leagues are likely to argue that consultation must go beyond the limited discussions currently envisaged by Infantino. A possible overhaul of the football calendar is expected to be among the central issues raised, a subject with consequences across the European club game, including France’s Ligue 1.
The planned intervention adds to the resistance facing Infantino after widespread opposition to his proposed FIFA privatisation project. The FIFA president has also been confronted by increasing pressure from national associations and continental confederations.
UEFA and Concacaf have been prominent in the recent challenge to FIFA’s direction, while the Asian Football Confederation has more recently joined the growing criticism.
There is, however, no indication that the four leagues will formally demand Infantino’s resignation. Their expected focus is on changing FIFA’s governance and ensuring broader involvement in decisions affecting the global game.
