Two major organizations representing football players and clubs in Europe, FIFPro and the European Leagues, have lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position in the football world. This move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over FIFA’s control and decisions affecting the global football calendar.
FIFPro, the global players’ union, and the European Leagues, which represents over a thousand clubs from 33 countries across Europe including the English Premier League and top leagues in Italy, Germany, and France, jointly issued a statement on Tuesday. They accused FIFA of making “unilateral decisions” that infringe upon EU competition law and constitute an abuse of dominance. The organizations argue that FIFA’s actions have not only harmed the economic interests of national leagues but also jeopardized the welfare of players.
Central to their complaint is FIFA’s handling of the international match calendar, specifically the introduction of a 32-team Club World Cup, set to debut in the United States in June and July next year. This expanded tournament will see 12 European clubs participating, forcing many top players to forego a much-needed break after a long season, just one year before the 48-team World Cup in North America.
FIFPro and the European Leagues contend that the current international match calendar is oversaturated and unsustainable, posing significant risks to player health and undermining national leagues. They assert that FIFA’s recent decisions have disproportionately favored its own competitions and commercial interests while neglecting its responsibilities as a governing body. These actions, they claim, have damaged the economic stability of national leagues and disregarded the welfare of players.
The organizations further argue that FIFA’s dual role as a regulator and competition organizer represents a conflict of interest. They highlight FIFA’s failure to consult adequately over major changes to the calendar, such as the Club World Cup expansion, as a clear example of this conflict.
The complaint also references the European Court of Justice’s Super League judgment from last December, which mandated that FIFA and other governing bodies must perform their regulatory functions transparently, objectively, non-discriminately, and proportionately. According to FIFPro and the European Leagues, FIFA’s conduct regarding the international match calendar does not meet these standards.
In response to the complaint, FIFA issued a statement via its social media platform, X. FIFA emphasized that the current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which includes representatives from all continents, following a thorough and inclusive consultation process that involved FIFPro and league bodies. FIFA accused certain European leagues of acting out of commercial self-interest and hypocrisy, prioritizing friendlies and summer tours, often involving extensive global travel, over more meaningful competitions.
FIFA also cited a study by the Swiss-based International Centre for Sports Studies, which claims that the number of matches per season has remained stable over the years. According to the study, the average number of fixtures per club per season has been consistent at just over 40 matches from 2012 to 2024, with only about 5 percent of clubs playing 60 or more games per season, excluding friendlies.
The complaint has garnered additional support from Spain’s La Liga, which, despite not being a member of the European Leagues, has decided to join the complaint against FIFA. This collective action follows similar legal initiatives, such as the one launched by England’s Professional Footballers’ Association and their French counterparts, the UNFP, in the Belgian courts in June. These actions aim to determine whether FIFA’s practices have violated players’ rights under European Union law.
The filing of this complaint with the European Commission represents a critical moment in the struggle between national leagues, player unions, and FIFA over the control and organization of international football. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how these legal battles influence the governance of the sport and the balance of power within the global football ecosystem.
