“FIFPRO VS. FIFA: LEGAL ACTION UNVEILED – WHAT’S THE RUCKUS?”

FIFPRO has initiated legal proceedings against FIFA regarding the expanded men’s Club World Cup, the global players’ union revealed on Thursday.

In May, FIFA announced its stance against rescheduling the 32-team Club World Cup despite warnings from both FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association (WLA), who threatened legal action unless FIFA revisited its plans.

FIFPRO disclosed that England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and France’s players union (UNFP), both integral members, lodged a legal claim with the Brussels court of commerce on Thursday.

“FIFPRO Europe member unions have today submitted a legal claim against FIFA, challenging the legality of FIFA’s decisions to unilaterally set the International Match Calendar and, in particular, the decision to create and schedule the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” stated FIFPRO in a press release.

The body further asserted, “Player unions believe that these decisions violate the rights of players and their unions under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights while also potentially violating EU competition law.”

FIFA refrained from immediate comment in response to an emailed inquiry.

In May, FIFPRO and WLA voiced their apprehensions regarding the expanded competition in a letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. They highlighted concerns that the global football calendar is “beyond saturation,” impacting the ability of national leagues to organize their competitions adequately, and posing significant injury risks to players.

In rebuttal, FIFA denied allegations of making unilateral decisions solely to favor its competitions within the international calendar.