Europe's biggest leagues demand sweeping FIFA reforms

MANCHESTER, England, Sept 25 : Four of Europe's most powerful football leagues called for sweeping reforms at FIFA on Friday, saying stakeholders must be given a greater role in decision-making as scrutiny mounts over the governing body's leadership.

England's Premier League, Germany's Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A and Spain's LaLiga said FIFA needed stronger checks and balances, clear constitutional boundaries and greater separation between its regulatory and commercial functions.

The move marks the first coordinated response from the four leagues since FIFA President Gianni Infantino abandoned an attempt earlier this year to push through a plan involving outside investment in FIFA's commercial operations after it triggered a backlash across world football.

"The World Cup may be the pinnacle of our sport, but the foundations of football are sustained week in and week out, in packed stadiums and local communities, by dedicated players, fans, clubs and leagues around the world," the leagues said in a joint statement on Friday.

"Football’s longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem, whereby FIFA’s president has actively promoted exploitative ideas rather than safeguarding against them. And while football’s stakeholders ultimately forced the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, the conditions that led to FFE remain."

The statement adds to growing scrutiny of FIFA's governance as Infantino seeks reelection next year. FIFA has been contacted for comment.

Relations between FIFA and Europe's top leagues have deteriorated in recent years, driven largely by disputes over the expansion of international competitions.

Clubs and domestic leagues have repeatedly complained