ROME (ITALPRESS) – “The time has come to decide not only who will lead FIFA, but also how FIFA should be led. Leagues have a crucial role to play in this process, and we want to ensure that every league’s voice is heard. Football needs FIFA to be a strong institution. However, strength must go hand in hand with responsibility. FIFA’s authority can only stem from shared responsibility, acceptance of oversight, and the earning of trust.” This statement was issued jointly by the heads of Europe’s four major leagues—the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, and Ligue 1—less than six months before the FIFA elections, in which incumbent president Gianni Infantino is seeking re-election. “The complaint regarding abuse of dominant position concerning the International Match Calendar (IMC), filed by the leagues with the European Commission in October 2024, is the result of an inadequate governance system,” the statement reads. “In this system, FIFA can leverage its regulatory authority to pursue its own commercial objectives without regard for the impact on the economic and social sustainability of domestic competitions—a matter that affects all stakeholders. This must change now, in the interest of football. We therefore jointly call for a new governance structure for the global body governing our sport—one that is transparent, objective, proportionate, and inclusive.”
The four leagues are calling on the future FIFA leadership to commit to three fundamental objectives: granting relevant stakeholders a genuine role in the decision-making process (through a permanent body representing key stakeholders, including national associations, leagues, clubs, and players from both men’s and women’s football); ensuring that decision-making is based on data and evidence; and separating FIFA’s regulatory role from its commercial function. “At this critical juncture for our sport, we urge candidates for the FIFA presidency to embrace these principles and, within the first 100 days of the next presidential term, to convene a Governance Conference—chaired by an independent figure representing member associations and the broader football community—tasked with presenting a public report within six months,” the statement adds.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
