The global footballers’ union FIFPRO has accused FIFA of “systematically ignoring and silencing” players’ concerns, thereby “seriously undermining” the game with its “autocratic system of governance.”
Two weeks ago, FIFA announced that it had reached an agreement with players’ groups regarding mandatory rest periods during and at the end of seasons, but FIFPRO has rejected these claims, stating it was not invited to participate in discussions led by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in New York.
FIFPRO has urged FIFA to take a more active role in consulting player unions when expanding the fixture calendar, particularly concerning the staging of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup in the U.S. this summer.
FIFPRO Europe, along with a group of European leagues, filed a legal complaint with the European Union in June 2024, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position in football and violating European competition law by expanding the international match calendar without proper consultation. A verdict is yet to be reached.
Following a meeting of 58 players’ unions from around the globe in Amsterdam on Friday, FIFPRO issued a statement condemning FIFA’s governance of the game and its attitude towards players.
“At a meeting today near Amsterdam, attended by 58 player unions from around the world, FIFPRO expressed its deepening concern regarding FIFA’s management of global football,” the FIFPRO statement read.
“Simultaneously, FIFPRO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of both male and female players – rights that are being seriously undermined by commercial policies imposed by FIFA’s autocratic system of governance.
“The overloaded match calendar, inadequate physical and mental recovery periods, extreme playing conditions, lack of meaningful dialogue, and ongoing disregard for players’ social rights have regrettably become pillars of FIFA’s business model; a model that jeopardises players’ health and sidelines those at the heart of the game.”
FIFA responded later on Friday, stating: “FIFA is extremely disappointed by the increasingly divisive and contradictory tone adopted by FIFPRO leadership. This approach clearly indicates that rather than engaging in constructive dialogue, FIFPRO has opted to pursue a path of public confrontation driven by artificial PR battles – which do not prioritise the welfare of professional players but instead aim to preserve their own personal positions and interests.
“The global football community deserves better. Players deserve better.”
FIFA added that discussions regarding player welfare at the Club World Cup in New York were held “following a protracted period of unsuccessful attempts to engage FIFPRO in a non-hostile, respectful, and progressive dialogue.”
