Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has called for a new candidate to enter the FIFA presidential race and backed proposals for significant changes to the organisation's governance.
Masters said football needs a candidate capable of bringing the game's six confederations together ahead of the FIFA presidential election in March 2027. He also argued that governance reform should be part of any challenger’s platform, including consideration of the powers attached to the FIFA presidency.
"I think an emerging unity candidate should have on his or her agenda reform of FIFA, and perhaps even reform of the president's role and how it interacts with those things," Masters told BBC Sport.
Masters' comments followed the collapse of FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposed commercial structure that would have opened part of FIFA's commercial and event-related operations to private investment.
FIFA abandoned the project in July after strong opposition from several football bodies. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the proposal had created divisions and would therefore not proceed.
The European Leagues organisation subsequently called for changes to FIFA's governance, arguing that the handling of the FFE proposal raised questions about decision-making and stakeholder involvement. The organisation described the proposal as "dangerous" and said FIFA needed a governance model that gave relevant stakeholders a formal role in major decisions.
European Leagues reiterated that position again in September, saying concerns surrounding the proposed sale of equity in FIFA competitions highlighted the need for greater transparency and stakeholder involvement in the governing body's decision-making processes.
Masters has also criticised the original FFE proposal directly, arguing that FIFA should not be considering the sale of an interest in World Cup commercial rights. He backed the Football Association's decision to withdraw its support for Infantino and said a new candidate should emerge who could unite football's confederations.
The debate has continued even after the FFE proposal was withdrawn. Infantino has since said he is open to an independent external review of FIFA's governance framework, with the issue expected to be discussed at the FIFA Council's October meeting.
However, the proposed review has not ended the criticism. Several football federations have questioned its scope, while some have continued to call for changes to FIFA's leadership and the balance of presidential power.
Masters also contrasted FIFA's proposed approach with the Premier League's financial model, saying the English top flight had not pursued private-equity investment in its media-rights operation, including during the financial difficulties created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
For now, the focus is shifting towards the FIFA presidential election. Infantino is seeking another term, while potential challengers have until 18 November 2026 to enter the race.
Masters' intervention therefore adds another senior football administrator to the public discussion about FIFA's leadership and governance, with the search for an alternative candidate now forming part of the debate ahead of next year's election.
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