European Leagues and Fifpro Europe to the EU Commission: Fifa violates competition rules – Football

MILANO – The European Leagues and the International Footballers’ Union appeal to the European Commission. They accuse FIFA of defining the international calendar of competitions without involving clubs and players, thus impoverishing the championships. The joint protest of the European Leagues and Fifpro Europe is addressed to the Competition Department of the European Commission, which has the task of supervising competition issues. The complaint does not mention specific tournaments, but it is clear that there is a reference to the way in which the Club World Cup calendar was designed, which does not take into account the needs of domestic calendars and individual football clubs. Unlike UEFA, FIFA is accused of deciding completely independently without engaging in dialogue with other parties in the world of football.

No response from FIFA

In the statement announcing the complaint, European Leagues and Fifpro Europe wrote: “Over the years, leagues and players’ unions have repeatedly urged FIFA to develop a clear, transparent and fair process regarding the scheduling of international matches. The last formal request was sent ahead of the FIFA Congress and Council in May 2024. Unfortunately, FIFA has consistently refused to include national leagues and players’ unions in its decision-making process.”

An ungolfed calendar

Leagues and players complain that the international match calendar “is now beyond saturation and has become unsustainable for national leagues and a risk to the health of players. FIFA’s decisions in recent years have repeatedly favored its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body and damaged the economic interests of national leagues and the well-being of players. National leagues and players’ unions cannot accept that global regulations are decided unilaterally”. Scheduling the Club World Cup from June 15 to July 13, 2025, straddling two seasons, also entails registration problems: clubs could start the tournament with one team and finish it with another.

The legal action

European Leagues and FIFPRO conclude: “Legal action is now the only responsible step to protect football, its ecosystem and its workforce from FIFA’s unilateral decisions. The complaint will explain that FIFA’s conduct violates EU competition law and in particular constitutes an abuse of a dominant position: FIFA has a dual role as both the global regulator of football and the organiser of the competition. This creates a conflict of interest. This complaint, which will be formally filed by the European Leagues, LaLiga and FIFPRO Europe, will be parallel to separate actions launched by individual leagues and player unions at national level.”

Other initiatives

Players’ unions in England, France and Italy filed an action against FIFA in the Brussels Commercial Court in June. Announcing the new complaint, the European leagues and FIFPRO Europe said they had “already informed the European Commission of their decision and look forward to working closely with the Commission, relevant public institutions and football stakeholders throughout the investigation process.”

FIFA’s response

FIFA responded through its official channels: “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, composed of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included FIFPRO and the League bodies. The FIFA calendar is the only instrument that ensures that international football can continue to survive, coexist and thrive alongside national and continental club football. Some leagues in Europe – themselves organisers and regulators of competitions – act with commercial interest, hypocrisy and without consideration for everyone else in the world. These leagues apparently prefer a calendar full of friendlies and summer tours, often involving extensive travel around the world. Instead, FIFA must protect the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players, everywhere and at all levels of the game.”