A coalition including a players’ union, the European leagues’ group, and Spain’s LaLiga has formally accused FIFA of “abuse” in a complaint submitted to European Union antitrust regulators regarding the governing body’s international match schedule. The elite leagues have voiced concerns about the growing demands of the football calendar, which have led to player fatigue, injuries, and mental health issues, despite players receiving substantial salaries.
The complaint asserts that FIFA’s unilateral decisions regarding the international calendar constitute an abuse of dominance that violates EU law, as stated by the complainants, including FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues, and LaLiga. The European Leagues association comprises major leagues such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1, excluding LaLiga.
Central to the complaint is the revamped Club World Cup, which will expand from seven to 32 clubs and is set to take place in the U.S. for nearly a month. This change not only increases the number of matches but could also interfere with clubs’ pre-season tours aimed at enhancing their global fan engagement.
Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League, emphasized that players are expressing concerns about the excessive amount of football being played, suggesting the situation has reached a breaking point. LaLiga President Javier Tebas further criticized FIFA for prioritizing its own interests at the expense of the broader football community.
French national team captain Kylian Mbappe echoed these sentiments during a press conference, stating, “When it’s too much, it’s too much.” In contrast, FIFA maintains that the current international calendar received approval from representatives across all continents, including discussions with FIFPRO and various leagues.
Along with the expanded Club World Cup, the next World Cup is also set to increase its participation from 32 to 48 teams. While UEFA has also revised its scheduling—most notably with changes to the Champions League format—it has not been included in the current complaint.
Mathieu Moreuil, the Premier League’s director of international football relations, clarified that FIFA is accountable for the international calendar and that the relationship with UEFA remains different due to ongoing dialogue.
Additionally, FIFA announced plans to engage in negotiations with stakeholders regarding the transfer system, following a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union that deemed certain aspects unlawful. The ruling related to a case involving former France player Lassana Diarra highlighted the potential for significant changes to FIFA’s regulations surrounding player contracts and compensation.