European Leagues and Fifpro to Sue Fifa Over Fixture Saturation

European leagues, along with the global players’ union Fifpro are set to challenge Fifa legally over its alleged “abuse of dominance” in football. The European Leagues, representing 39 leagues and 1,130 clubs across 33 countries will file a complaint with the European Commission. This action comes as leagues and player unions express growing concerns about the overcrowded international calendar.

They worry about its impact on players’ well-being. Fifpro has criticized the international calendar as “beyond saturation,” unsustainable for national leagues and detrimental to player health. The union accuses Fifa of prioritizing its own competitions and commercial interests over the welfare of players and national leagues. According to Fifpro, Fifa’s decisions have consistently neglected these responsibilities.

Furthermore, the European Leagues including English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League, Serie A and Bundesliga (with La Liga also joining) argue that Fifa has failed to involve them or player unions in the decision-making process regarding the international match calendar. In response, Fifa has strongly rejected these claims and accused some leagues of hypocrisy.

The organization points out that the Fifa Council including European representatives, unanimously approved the current calendar. Furthermore, this approval came after extensive consultation with Fifpro and league bodies. Moreover, Fifa asserts that its calendar is essential for balancing international and domestic football. The organization has also criticized European leagues for focusing on commercial interests such as global pre-season tours, rather than prioritizing player welfare.

In addition, the European Leagues’ legal action follows a recent claim by the PFA, French and Italian players’ unions against Fifa in Brussels. This case focuses on employment law issues, calendar management and new competitions affecting player rights. PFA CEO Maheta Molango has highlighted the unsustainable nature of the current fixture schedule.

Consequently, he has warned of potential player strikes if conditions do not improve. Ultimately, this unified action from leagues and unions signals a serious push for reform. Both parties will pursue legal avenues if Fifa does not address their concerns.