European Leagues and Fifpro Launch Legal Action Against FIFA Over “Abuse of Dominance”
Introduction:
The top European leagues, including the Premier League, and global players’ union Fifpro are taking legal action against FIFA over its “abuse of dominance” in the game. The European Leagues, representing 39 leagues and 1,130 clubs in 33 countries, is filing a complaint to the European Commission to protect the welfare of players. This move comes after increasing pressure from leagues and player unions regarding the number of games added to the calendar and its impact on player health.
The Problem with the International Calendar:
Fifpro believes that the international calendar is “beyond saturation” and “unsustainable for national leagues,” posing a risk to player health. The organization alleges that FIFA has consistently favored its own competitions and commercial interests, neglecting its responsibilities as a governing body and harming the economic interests of national leagues and player welfare. They argue that FIFA has refused to include national leagues and player unions in its decision-making process, despite calls for a clear and transparent process regarding the international match calendar.
A United Front Against FIFA:
The European Leagues, which includes prominent leagues such as the English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga, is taking a united stance against FIFA. La Liga, although not a member initially, has also joined the legal action. This collective effort highlights the gravity of the situation, with both leagues and player unions coming together to protect the interests of football and its workforce.
FIFA’s Response:
FIFA has responded strongly to the legal action, accusing some leagues of hypocrisy for sending their players on global pre-season tours. They argue that their current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which includes representatives from all continents, including Europe. FIFA believes that their calendar is necessary for the survival and prosperity of international football alongside domestic and continental club football. They claim that some leagues in Europe are acting with commercial self-interest and without considering the impact on the rest of the world.
The Impact of Expanded Competitions:
The legal action comes in the wake of plans for an expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which Manchester City and Chelsea are set to participate in. This expansion has led to concerns about player workload and scheduling conflicts with other competitions. The African Cup of Nations, for example, has been moved to December 2025 and January 2026 due to the Club World Cup, potentially impacting the Champions League knockout stages for that season.
Analysis: A United Front Between Leagues and Unions:
BBC Sport football news reporter Nick Mashiter highlights that this legal action is a significant move, as it is backed not only by players’ unions but also by the leagues themselves. The threat of legal action has been discussed for over a year, and now there is a united front in the fight against FIFA’s dominance. The Professional Footballers’ Association has ensured that all stakeholders are on board before proceeding with legal action. While FIFA argues against the accusations and emphasizes its consultation with Fifpro over the calendar, there is a determination from all complainants to pursue these cases if a resolution outside of court is not reached. Leagues and unions are demanding change from FIFA and are prepared to go the distance to achieve it.
Conclusion:
The legal action taken by the European Leagues and Fifpro against FIFA reflects growing concerns about the impact of an overcrowded calendar on player welfare and the interests of national leagues. These organizations argue that FIFA has prioritized its own competitions and commercial interests at the expense of other stakeholders. By taking a united stance, both leagues and player unions hope to bring about change and protect the integrity of football. It remains to be seen how FIFA will respond and whether a resolution can be reached outside of court. However, it is clear that leagues and unions are prepared to fight for the rights and well-being of players.