Premier League has joined the legal battle against FIFA over alleged “abuse of dominance” concerning the international football calendar.
The European Leagues organization, representing professional divisions in England, announced that a complaint will be submitted to the European Commission in collaboration with the players’ union FIFPRO Europe, citing competition law grounds.
FIFA’s decision to expand the Club World Cup to 32 teams from 2025, scheduling it after domestic and international matches conclude, has sparked concerns about the excessive demands placed on players due to congested schedules.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has said of taking a stance against FIFA: “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.
“This complaint, that will be formally filed by European Leagues, LaLiga, and FIFPRO Europe will run in parallel to separate actions initiated by individual leagues and player unions at national level.
The English, French and Italian player unions brought an action with the Brussels commercial court in June. European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe have already informed the European Commission of their decision and look forward to working closely with the Commission, relevant public institutions and football stakeholders throughout the investigation process.”
FIFA are yet to grant a mandatory 28-day break during annual off seasons, with league and player unions claiming that world football’s governing body has “consistently refused to include national leagues and player unions in its decision-making process”, while also asserting that “the international match calendar is now beyond saturation and has become unsustainable for national leagues and a risk for the health of players”.
FIFA will be fighting its corner and pointed out that current calendars have been unanimously approved by its ruling council. A statement given to Sky News reads: “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.”