Health of players at risk
The Premier League has joined forces with other European leagues and players’ unions to take legal action against FIFA over the increasingly congested international football calendar.
The move aims to protect players’ health and ensure they get sufficient rest including a mandatory 28-day off-season break which FIFA has yet to approve.
The European Leagues organization which includes England’s professional leagues announced plans to file a complaint with the European Commission.
This action comes in response to FIFA’s introduction of a new 32-team men’s Club World Cup next year following the regular European season and international matches.
Concerns have been raised about the lack of formal consultation by FIFA with key stakeholders in the football community.
Player Unions Unite as Premier League Stands Up for Change against FIFA
Sky News first reported in December about the English players’ unions threatening legal action due to increased workload concerns.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (part of FIFPRO Europe) is among those joining the legal complaint. They argue that FIFA’s dual role as both the global regulator of football and a competition organizer creates a conflict of interest.
In a statement, the unions and leagues said,
“The complaint will explain that FIFA’s conduct infringes EU competition law and notably constitutes an abuse of dominance. FIFA’s conduct in respect of the international match calendar falls well short of these requirements.”
This legal challenge, spearheaded by European Leagues, La Liga, and FIFPRO Europe, runs parallel to actions initiated by individual leagues and player unions at the national level.
In June, the English, French, and Italian player unions brought a case to the Brussels commercial court.
FIFA’s Response
FIFA has defended its position stating that the international calendar was unanimously approved by its ruling council which includes officials from Europe.
In response to the complaints, FIFA suggested that some European leagues are acting out of commercial self-interest.
FIFA’s statement read,
“Some leagues in Europe are acting with commercial self-interest, hypocrisy, and without consideration to everyone else in the world. By contrast, FIFA must protect the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players, everywhere and at all levels of the game.”
As the legal battle unfolds the football world will be watching closely to see how these actions impact the future of the international football calendar and player welfare.