FIFA has invited FIFPRO Europe and European league bodies for discussion after a dispute over the hectic sports calendar. On July 23, the global players’ union FIFPRO and European leagues filed a complaint to the European Commission on FIFA for a busy international schedule.
Their complaint stated that FIFA has “harmed the interests of national leagues and the welfare of players” and argued FIFA’s role as a regulator and competition organizer is a conflict of interest.
“FIFA has today reiterated an invitation to meet and discuss the calendar with World Leagues Association and FIFPRO, having received no response to a letter on 10 May 2024,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“FIFA believes there is a more productive way forward for football than the threat of legal action and the offer to engage in dialogue remains on the table. FIFA serves and balances the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players, and always strives to do what is best for the game around the world,” it added.
FIFA has been accused of a failure to consult over recent changes to the calendar, such as the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup.
Last Week on July 24, FIFAPRO and the European League revealed a joint statement against FIFA’s actions. “Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem, and its workforce from FIFA’s unilateral decisions. The complaint will explain that FIFA’s conduct infringes EU competition law and notably constitutes an abuse of dominance,” the statement further added.
The list of participants and the FIFA Club World Cup has also increased including the international duties to the current calendar, putting the player at serious risk with injury concerns in both men’s and women’s games in the 2023-24 season.
“FIFA holds a dual role as both the global regulator of football and a competition organizer. This creates a conflict of interest, which, consistent with the recent case law of the EU Courts, requires FIFA to exercise its regulatory functions in a way that is transparent, objective, non-discriminatory, and proportionate. FIFA’s conduct in respect of the international match calendar falls well short of these requirements,” concluded the statement.
The first edition of the expanded Club World Cup is set to take place in the United States in June and July. Many key players will therefore be obliged to participate at a time when they would otherwise have been afforded a long close season break, a year ahead of the Expanded 48-team World Cup in North America.
