FIFA: European leagues and Fifpro take legal action for “abuse of a dominant market position”

Europe’s biggest leagues, including the Premier League, and global players’ union Fifpro will take legal action against world football’s governing body FIFA for abusing its “dominance” in football.

The European Leagues Association, which represents 39 leagues and 1,130 clubs in 33 countries, has said it will file a complaint with the European Commission to protect the welfare of players.

This is due to growing pressure from leagues and players’ unions, including the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), regarding the number of games included in the calendar and the impact on players.

In a statement, Fifpro said that the international calendar was “now overloaded”, “no longer viable for the national leagues” and posed a “risk to the health of the players”.

It continues: “FIFA’s decisions in recent years have repeatedly favoured its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body and harmed the economic interests of the national leagues and the welfare of the players.”

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

The statement said FIFA had “consistently refused to involve national leagues and players’ unions in its decision-making process” despite being asked to develop a clear and transparent process for the international match calendar.

The European leagues include the English Football League, the Scottish Professional Football League, Serie A and the Bundesliga. La Liga is not a member, but is involved.

In May, FIFA rejected claims that Fifpro and the World Association of Leagues had not been consulted on plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup.

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