Premier League part of legal action against FIFA – Abuse of dominance


 
 
 
 
 
 

This has been coming for a long time, as friction builds and builds between FIFA and the Premier League, amongst others.

Now things have got so bad, Fifpro (global players’ union) and the major European leagues are launching legal action.

They accuse FIFA of ‘abuse of dominance’ in the sport, due to the ever-increasing demands the world governing body is putting on players (and clubs!).

With FIFA, led by Gianni Infantino (pictured above), said to be relentlessly just pushing their own competitions and commercial interests.

The competition that appears to have brought things to a head, is the total waste of time Club World Cup.

Previous editions of this have seen all but zero interest from fans worldwide, a totally pointless additional competition that serves no purpose, apart from FIFA’s seemingly, trying to increase their interests.

Fifpro and the World Leagues Association said they were not even consulted over the quite ridiculous expansion plans to increase the Club World Cup to a 32-club competition.

This is due to be held in the USA between 15 June and 13 July 2025, with Manchester City and Chelsea amongst the 12 European clubs at this much-expanded farce.

FIFA of course, are accusing the various domestic leagues and their clubs of doing similar, having loads of pointless extra matches, especially friendly around the world that require travel over significant distances.

FIFA, UEFA and all the domestic leagues are endlessly trying to push their own agendas and expand their own empires.

Personally, I would start with binning this waste of time Club World Cup altogether, as well as banning all international friendlies for national sides, another total waste of time.

BBC Sport report – 23 July 2024:

The top European leagues, including the Premier League, and global players’ union Fifpro will launch legal action against world governing body Fifa over its “abuse of dominance” in the game.

The European Leagues, which represents 39 leagues and 1,130 clubs in 33 countries, says it is filing a complaint to the European Commission to protect the welfare of players.

It comes following growing pressure from leagues and player unions, including the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), over the number of games added to the calendar and the impact on players.

A Fifpro statement said the international calendar is “now beyond saturation”, “unsustainable for national leagues” and a “risk for the health of players”.

It added: “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.

“Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem and its workforce.”

The statement said Fifa has “consistently refused to include national leagues and player unions in its decision-making process”, having been urged to develop a clear and transparent process regarding the international match calendar.

The European Leagues includes the English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League, Serie A and the Bundesliga. La Liga is not a member but is joining the action.

In May Fifa rejected a claim that Fifpro and the World Leagues Association were not consulted over plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup.

Manchester City and Chelsea are among the 12 European representatives at the expanded Club World Cup, to be held in the USA between 15 June and 13 July 2025.

Fifa has responded strongly to the action, accusing some leagues of “hypocrisy” by sending their players on global pre-season tours.

A Fifa spokesperson 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.”