Premier League and Europe's top leagues demand FIFA reform over 'exploitative' Infantino plan
The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga have issued a joint statement demanding governance reform at FIFA, accusing Gianni Infantino of promoting 'exploitative ideas' after his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup.
The Premier League and three other top European leagues have issued a joint statement calling for governance reform at FIFA, adding to the mounting pressure on president Gianni Infantino following his failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup.
The leagues from Spain, Italy and Germany joined England’s Premier League in accusing Infantino of actively promoting “exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them”.
“Football’s longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem,” the joint statement said, according to Al Jazeera.
The row follows Infantino’s abandoned plan to sell 20 per cent of FIFA’s World Cup commercial rights to private investors in a deal reported to be worth $4.2 billion. Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, has faced criticism from UEFA and CONCACAF and plans to stand for re-election despite losing the support of many national federations.
Last week England’s Football Association asked Infantino to release all documents relating to the investor plan and to his decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun’s red card at this summer’s tournament.
Infantino responded on Instagram on Thursday, saying he was ready to embrace reform discussions with member nations and pointing to a FIFA Council meeting next month. “This is not about generating positive headlines, it is about what is right for the game,” he wrote.
The Guardian reported the leagues proposed a 100-day reform convention, with nominations for the presidency due by 18 November ahead of elections in March.
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