European football leagues and FIFPRO Europe are set to challenge FIFA over its overloaded football calendar. This legal action targets FIFA’s management of international football scheduling, which has been criticized for its negative impact on national leagues and players’ welfare.
In a statement released on July 23, 2024, FIFPRO, the global organization for professional players, announced plans to file a formal complaint with the European Commission. This legal move is backed by the European Leagues, which represent 39 leagues and 1,130 clubs across 33 countries.
The statement criticizes FIFA for prioritizing its own competitions and commercial interests over European national leagues and player welfare. According to the coalition, the current international football calendar is “beyond saturation,” unsustainable for national leagues, and poses a serious risk to players’ health.
“For several years, both leagues and player unions have called for FIFA to establish a clear, transparent, and fair process regarding the international match calendar,” the statement highlights. “Despite repeated formal requests, including one before the FIFA Congress in May 2024, FIFA has consistently excluded national leagues and player unions from the decision-making process.”
The coalition argues that FIFA’s dominance in football management violates EU competition law and constitutes an abuse of power. They assert that FIFA’s dual role as both regulator and competition organizer creates a conflict of interest that undermines transparency, which FIFA has failed to address.
This lawsuit is part of a broader series of legal actions by national leagues and player unions against FIFA. The ongoing dissatisfaction with the football calendar has led to significant criticism from top players and officials. In 2022, FIFA’s plan to expand the men’s Club World Cup from seven to 32 teams was announced, shifting the event from an annual tournament to a quadrennial one. Additionally, the introduction of the “Intercontinental Cup” last year replaced the annual Club World Cup.
Source: Thecable.ng
