FIFPRO Accuses FIFA of Silencing Players and “Autocracy” in Football

FIFPRO Questions FIFA’s Governance and Player Protection

The global footballers’ organization FIFPRO has expressed its deep displeasure with FIFA’s current management, accusing it of systematically ignoring players’ concerns and seriously undermining the game with its “autocratic governance system”. Despite FIFA announcing an agreement with player groups on mandatory rest periods, FIFPRO rejected these claims, arguing that it was not invited to participate in the discussions led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. FIFPRO has urged FIFA to actively involve player unions when adding events to the calendar, especially the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup in the United States. In June 2024, FIFPRO Europe and several European leagues filed a legal complaint with the European Union, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position and violating European competition laws by expanding the international match calendar without proper consultation. A verdict has not yet been issued. After a meeting of 58 player unions from around the world in Amsterdam, FIFPRO issued a statement criticizing FIFA’s management and its attitude towards the players.

The Club World Cup ended on July 13, with most players having little more than a month before the start of the 2025-26 season.FIFPRO’s statement emphasized its concern about the way FIFA is managing global football, reaffirming its commitment to protect players’ rights. The organization denounces that the commercial policies imposed by FIFA’s autocratic governance system are undermining these rights. FIFPRO points out that the overloaded match calendar, the lack of adequate periods of physical and mental recovery, extreme playing conditions and the absence of meaningful dialogue have become pillars of FIFA’s business model, putting the health of the players at risk.

Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors. It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive, and transparent dialogue.

FIFPRO

In response, FIFA expressed its disappointment at FIFPRO’s divisive tone, arguing that the organization has opted for public confrontation instead of constructive dialogue. FIFA stated that discussions about player welfare at the Club World Cup were held after several failed attempts to involve FIFPRO in an environment of respectful dialogue. The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, who will oversee the 48-team men’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, was the driving force behind this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States. FIFPRO warns FIFA that no further changes can be made without its participation. The organization believes that there can be no “new era” for football without addressing structural inequalities and systemic abuses. FIFPRO criticizes FIFA for ignoring the real problems faced by players in different parts of the world, citing the Club World Cup as an example of this disconnection. The organization states that it is unacceptable for an organization that proclaims itself a world leader to ignore the basic needs of the players. FIFPRO and its affiliated unions reaffirm their commitment to defend the labor, social, and human rights of footballers worldwide. The organization will continue to denounce abuses and demand fair and dignified conditions for all players. FIFA responded by challenging FIFPRO to publish its statutes and “transparent annual accounts”.