FIFA has accused “some leagues in Europe” of acting with “commercial self-interest, hypocrisy and without consideration to everyone else in the world” after learning they are to face legal action due to the congested nature of the football calendar.
The European Leagues organisation, of which the Premier League is a part, is to file a joint complaint alongside players’ union FIFPro and La Liga with the European Commission over what they claim is “an abuse of dominance”.
The issue has come to a head after FIFA introduced a new 32-team Club World Cup next year.
#FIFPRO Europe and @EuropeanLeagues will jointly file a formal complaint to the @EU_Commission against FIFA regarding the international match calendar.
Our joint statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qgLQaNvz6g
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) July 23, 2024
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What does the claim say about FIFA?
The legal complaint claims: “The international match calendar is now beyond saturation and has become unsustainable for national leagues and a rich for the health of players.
“FIFA’s decisions over the last years have repeatedly favoured its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body and harmed the economic interests of national leagues and the welfare of players.
“The complaint will explain that FIFA’s conduct infringes EU competition law and notably constitutes an abuse of dominance: FIFA holds a dual role as both the global regulator of football and a competition organiser. This creates a conflict of interest, which, consistent with recent case law of the EU courts, requires FIFA to exercise its regulatory functions in a way that is transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate. FIFA’s conduct in respect of the international match calendar falls well short of these requirements.”
The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which is composed of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included FIFPRO and league bodies.
FIFA’s calendar is the only instrument… pic.twitter.com/kpmUItrimN
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) July 23, 2024
What have FIFA said in response?
FIFA reacted swiftly with a statement of their own which highlighted the fact many of the clubs are currently embarking on revenue-generating trips abroad rather than allowing their players to rest.
FIFA said: “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, which is composed of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included FIFPRO and league bodies.
“FIFA’s calendar is the only instrument ensuring that international football can continue to survive, co-exist, and prosper alongside domestic and continental club football.
“Some leagues in Europe – themselves competition organisers and regulators – are acting with commercial self-interest, hypocrisy, and without consideration to everyone else in the world. Those leagues apparently prefer a calendar filled with friendlies and summer tours, often involving extensive global travel.
“By contrast, FIFA must protect the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players, everywhere and at all levels of the game.”
