Leagues and Unions File Legal Complaint Against FIFA Over International Calendar Changes

FIFPro Europe and the European Leagues have formally lodged a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of overstepping its authority with recent changes to the international football calendar. The complaint alleges that FIFA’s unilateral decisions, including the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup, violate EU competition law and demonstrate an abuse of dominance.

FIFA’s Unilateral Decisions Criticized

The global players’ union, FIFPro, and the European Leagues, which represents over a thousand clubs from 33 countries, argue that FIFA’s recent actions have negatively impacted national leagues and player welfare. They claim that FIFA’s role as both a regulator and a competition organizer represents a conflict of interest, particularly with the introduction of the expanded Club World Cup.

Implications for Players and Leagues

The new format of the Club World Cup, scheduled to debut in the United States next June and July, will feature 12 European clubs. This addition means that many top players will face a grueling schedule, sacrificing their off-season break just before the expanded 48-team World Cup in North America. FIFPro and the European Leagues warn that the current international match calendar is unsustainable and detrimental to both national leagues and player health.

Legal Actions and Future Implications

The complaint also references a recent European Court of Justice ruling on the Super League, which mandates transparency and fairness in the governance of football. The statement argues that FIFA’s handling of the international calendar falls short of these standards. La Liga, Spain’s top football league, has also joined the legal action, complementing ongoing litigation by England’s Professional Footballers’ Association and France’s UNFP in Belgian courts regarding potential breaches of EU player rights.