European Leagues and Fifpro to Launch Legal Action Against Fifa Over 'Abuse of Dominance'

 

European Leagues and Fifpro to Launch Legal Action Against Fifa Over 'Abuse of Dominance'

The European Leagues, representing 39 leagues and 1,130 clubs across 33 countries, along with global players' union Fifpro, have announced plans to take legal action against world governing body Fifa. This move comes in response to what they describe as Fifa's "abuse of dominance" in football.

A complaint will be filed to the European Commission with the aim of safeguarding player welfare amid increasing concerns over the congested football calendar. The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and other player unions have voiced their objections to the growing number of fixtures, which they argue jeopardize players' health and wellbeing.

Fifpro released a statement declaring the international calendar "beyond saturation," deeming it "unsustainable for national leagues" and a "risk for the health of players." The statement criticized Fifa's recent decisions, accusing the organization of prioritizing its own competitions and commercial interests over its duties as a governing body, to the detriment of national leagues and players' welfare.

"Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem, and its workforce," the statement read. It also noted Fifa's consistent exclusion of national leagues and player unions from the decision-making process, despite repeated calls for a transparent approach to the international match calendar.

The European Leagues' membership includes prominent leagues such as the English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga. While La Liga is not a member, it is participating in the legal action.

In May, Fifa faced backlash for allegedly failing to consult Fifpro and the World Leagues Association regarding the plan for an expanded 32-team Club World Cup. Despite the controversy, the tournament is set to take place in the USA from June 15 to July 13, 2025, with Manchester City and Chelsea among the 12 European clubs participating.

This legal battle marks a significant confrontation in the ongoing struggle between football's governing bodies, leagues, and player unions, highlighting the urgent need for reforms in the management of the sport's global calendar.

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