Football: Legal Action against FIFA
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
A legal complaint against FIFA, the world governing body of association football (soccer), is being made by the top European football leagues, including the English Premier League, which represent 39 leagues and 1 130 clubs in 33 countries, together with FIFPro, the global players’ union, claiming that FIFA is abusing its dominant position.
The complaint is being filed with the European (EU) Commission in Brussels, pursuant to EU Competition Rules, to protect the welfare of players.
FIFPro contends that the international football calendar is:
“…. now beyond saturation, unsustainable for national leagues, and a risk for the health of players.”
And adds that:
“FIFA’s decision over the last years have repeatedly favoured its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body, and harmed the economic interests of national leagues and the welfare of players. Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem and its workforce.”
FIFA has responded to these claims that:
“The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which is composed of representatives of all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included FIFPro and league bodies.”
And has added as follows:
“…. FIFA must protect the overall interest of world football, including the protection of players, everywhere and at all levels of the game.”
On the question of the dominance of FIFA, it may be added that FIFA is both the global regulator of football and an organiser of football competitions, which, prima facie, constitutes a conflict of interests, and, so to speak, is the only game in town.
On the other hand, it may also be added that a recent study on schedules and players’ workload by the CIES Football Observatory, based in Neuchatel, Switzerland, suggests that football clubs are not playing more matches per season. See the corresponding Post of 19 July 2024 on this website.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
