FIFPRO Accuses FIFA of Silencing Players and Undermining Football

FIFPRO Questions FIFA’s Governance and Players’ Rights

The global footballers’ union FIFPRO has spoken out against FIFA, accusing it of “systematically ignoring and silencing” players’ concerns and of “seriously undermining” the game with its “autocratic governance system”. Two weeks ago, FIFA announced an agreement with player groups on mandatory rest periods during and at the end of seasons. However, FIFPRO rejected these claims, noting that it was not invited to participate in the discussions led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in New York. FIFPRO has urged FIFA to take a more active role in consulting with player unions when adding matches to the calendar, especially with the organization of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup in the United States this summer. In June 2024, FIFPRO Europe and a group of European leagues filed a legal complaint with the European Union, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position in football and violating European competition law by expanding the international match calendar without proper consultation. A verdict has not yet been reached. After a meeting of 58 player unions from around the world in Amsterdam on Friday, FIFPRO issued a statement condemning FIFA’s governance and its attitude towards players.

“At a meeting today near Amsterdam with the participation of 58 players’ unions from around the world, FIFPRO expressed its growing concern about the way FIFA is currently managing global football,” stated the FIFPRO statement. “At the same time, FIFPRO reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protect the rights of male and female players, rights that are being seriously undermined by the commercial policies imposed by its autocratic governance system.” The overloaded match calendar, the lack of adequate periods of physical and mental recovery, the extreme playing conditions, the absence of meaningful dialogue, and the continuous disregard for the social rights of the players have become, unfortunately, pillars of FIFA’s business model; a model that puts the health of the players at risk and marginalizes those who are at the heart of the game. FIFA President Infantino, who will oversee the first men’s World Cup with 48 teams in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year, was the driving force behind the organization of this summer’s Club World Cup in the United States. That competition was organized without the agreement or consultation of FIFPRO, and the organization has warned FIFA that no further changes can be made without its participation. “As an international union, FIFPRO firmly believes that there can be no ‘new era’ for football without first addressing the structural inequalities and systemic abuses embedded in the game,” stated FIFPRO. “FIFA continues to ignore and systematically silence the real problems faced by players in different parts of the world.” “It is unacceptable for an organization that claims global leadership to turn a blind eye to the basic needs of the players.” “A clear example of this disconnection was the recent Club World Cup, celebrated by President Infantino despite being held in extreme and inappropriate conditions for any human being, which demonstrates a worrying insensitivity towards human rights, even when it comes to elite athletes.” Now more than ever, FIFPRO and its affiliated unions reaffirm their unwavering commitment to defend the labor, social, and human rights of footballers worldwide. We will continue to denounce abuses and demand fair, dignified, and sustainable conditions for all players. Football needs responsible leadership, not emperors. It needs fewer autocratic monologues and more genuine, inclusive, and transparent dialogue.