The dispute over an increasing number of professional football games is entering the next round. European leagues and player representatives are now filing a complaint with a powerful European institution.
The league association European Leagues and the players’ union Fifpro have officially complained to the EU Commission about, among other things, the Club World Cup being expanded by FIFA. Too many games put the health of professional football players at risk and threatened important national competitions, the two organizations said. They tried to talk to FIFA about the problems, but the world association refused to listen. FIFA took advantage of its powerful position, according to Fifpro and the European Leagues.
The world association had already firmly rejected the allegations in the past. “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, made up of representatives from all continents, including Europe, after a wide and comprehensive consultation, which also included Fifpro and league bodies,” it said in a reaction to the announcement June.
In contrast to “some leagues in Europe”, FIFA must protect the overall interests. This also includes “protecting players at all levels”.
A spokeswoman for the EU Commission said they had received the complaint and would examine it. The commission did not say how long this would take. There is no deadline by which a decision must be made. The complainants also did not express any expectations as to how long the process would take.
“We can’t take it anymore”
The background to the conflict is an increasing number of games at the highest levels of football. In the USA, for example, a total of 32 clubs, including FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, will play for the title at the Club World Cup in 2025. Previously, the Club World Cup was organized as a mini-tournament with seven teams at the end or beginning of the year. Additional games should also lead to additional income.
More games will be played, among other things, because many matches will be added in the reformed European Football Union UEFA Cup and 189 games will be played in the Champions League alone, 64 more than last season. “Enough is enough, we can’t take it anymore,” said Mathieu Moreuil from the English Premier League, referring to the general situation.
Leagues and unions hope for more say
Specifically, the union and leagues criticize that FIFA has a monopoly on regulatory issues and is exploiting this position of power. FIFA can and has made unilateral decisions on the international match calendar without asking the national leagues for their opinion. FIFA’s behavior is a textbook example of abusive behavior, said lawyer Alfonso Lamadrid.
In addition, when the complaint was presented, it was said that it was not about getting money from FIFA, but about a better decision-making process. The association’s rules must comply with EU law. If the commission considers the complaint to be well-founded, it could oblige FIFA to take action.
Source: Stern
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