The consortium of European football leagues and the players’ representative body, FIFPRO Europe, is set to file a joint complaint with the European Union’s antitrust regulators regarding FIFA’s international match calendar.
This is scheduled for Monday, marking a notable escalation in the ongoing tension between governing bodies and the football community.
The announcement, made on Thursday, follows a recent ruling by Europe’s top court, which determined that FIFA’s player transfer regulations violated EU laws.
This ruling stemmed from a challenge brought forth by former French player Lassana Diarra, highlighting the increasing willingness of athletes and sports organizations to seek redress through EU antitrust channels.
The core of the complaint focuses on the international match calendar, which the leagues and FIFPRO argue has become untenable for national leagues and poses significant health risks for players.
They claim FIFA is abusing its dominant market position, leading to a hectic schedule that jeopardizes player well-being.
In response, FIFA maintains that the current calendar was developed through extensive consultations with stakeholders, including FIFPRO and league representatives, and received unanimous approval from its council.
The European Commission holds the authority to enforce competition laws across the 27-member bloc, with the potential to mandate changes in practice and impose fines on companies engaging in anti-competitive behavior.
This complaint could reshape the landscape of international football governance and address pressing concerns regarding player health and welfare.
