FIFPRO Files Lawsuit Against FIFA Over Crowded Football Calendar

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) announced on Thursday that it has filed a legal lawsuit against Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the global governing body of football for over packed football schedule.

In May, FIFA stated that they would not reconsider the scheduling of their 32-team Club World Cup, despite threats of legal action from FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association (WLA) demanding a review of FIFA’s plans.

FIFPRO, with the participation of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and France’s players union (UNFP), both members of FIFPRO, lodged a legal claim at the Brussels court of commerce on Thursday.

FIFPRO said, “FIFPRO Europe member unions have today submitted a legal claim against FIFA, challenging the legality of FIFA’s decisions to unilaterally set the International Match Calendar and, in particular, the decision to create and schedule the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

“Player unions believe that these decisions violate the rights of players and their unions under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights while also potentially violating EU competition law.”

FIFA did not immediately answer a request for comment sent via email.

Back in May, FIFPRO and WLA raised their apprehensions regarding the expanded competition in a letter directed to FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, and secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom.

They highlighted concerns about the overcrowded global football calendar, suggesting that national leagues struggle to schedule their competitions effectively, leading to excessive strain on players and heightened injury risks.

FIFA countered these allegations by denying any unilateral decisions aimed at favouring its own competitions within the international calendar.

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