Kolkata : The long-standing tensions between the European leagues and FIFA have reached a new peak, as the European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe have decided to take legal action against FIFA. This move follows several months of warnings and is primarily in response to FIFA’s expansion of the Club World Cup and the men’s World Cup.
The European Leagues, including top leagues like the Premier League, Serie A, and the Bundesliga, along with FIFPRO Europe, have announced they will formally complain to the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position in the international match calendar.
”Following decisions by their respective executive bodies, European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe will jointly file a formal complaint to the European Commission on competition law grounds against FIFA regarding the international match calendar,” the official complaint read.
Concerns Over Saturated Calendar
The crux of the issue lies in the over-saturation of the international match calendar, which both the leagues and players argue has become unsustainable. “The international match calendar is now beyond saturation and has become unsustainable for national leagues and a risk for the health of players,” added European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe.
They contend that FIFA’s recent decisions have consistently favored its own competitions and commercial interests, neglecting its responsibilities as a governing body and harming the economic interests of national leagues and player welfare.
“Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem and its workforce from FIFA’s unilateral decisions.” they added.
Expansion of World Cup and Club World Cup
The root of the concern is FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams and the transformation of the Club World Cup into a quadrennial summer tournament involving 32 clubs from across the globe.
Critics argue that this new format is an attempt by FIFA to capitalize on the high-profile club matchups that have traditionally driven significant revenue for UEFA through the Champions League. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, however, defends the competition, stating that it provides clubs from all confederations a stage to shine at the highest level.
Impact on Players and Competitions
The expanded Club World Cup, set to run from June 15 to July 13 next year, is causing significant scheduling conflicts and concerns about player welfare.
For instance, if Manchester City were to reach the Champions League final, they would have been in competitive action from August 2024 to May 2025, with only a brief respite before the Club World Cup group stage kicks off. This relentless schedule leaves little time for recovery, prompting criticism from top managers like Pep Guardiola. He has expressed concerns “against the lack of time to recover year by year.”
Moreover, the ripple effects of the Club World Cup’s expansion are already being felt. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, initially scheduled for the summer, has been pushed back by six months to accommodate the Club World Cup, significantly impacting national leagues, clubs, and players.
FIFA’s Response
FIFA, however, has pushed back against these criticisms, accusing European leagues of acting with commercial self-interest and hypocrisy. FIFA maintains that the international match calendar, unanimously approved by the FIFA Council, is essential for the coexistence and prosperity of international and domestic football.
They argue that while European clubs fill their schedules with revenue-raising friendlies and tours, FIFA must protect the broader interests of global football.
A FIFA spokesperson stated, “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.”
Future of the Club World Cup
Despite the ongoing legal action, the Club World Cup is set to proceed as planned, though logistical challenges remain. Broadcasting rights and host venues are still under negotiation, and issues related to player contracts during the tournament need resolution. The current legal tensions indicate a lack of goodwill, making the resolution of these logistical issues more complex.
