Football circles accuse the International Football Federation of “abuse of powers” when setting the schedule of international competitions, which they believe violates the antitrust laws of the European Union. According to the Polish Press Agency, the complaint mainly concerns the busy international calendar, which negatively affects the physical and mental health of players and leads to an increased number of injuries.
“The complaint explains how FIFA‘s imposition of decisions on the international calendar is an abuse of dominance and violates European Union law,” reads a joint statement issued by FIFPRO Europe, EPFL and La Liga.
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, leaves no doubt about the importance of the event. – This is one of the most important days in the history of football – announced Tebas after submitting the complaint, quoted by “The Guardian”. European leagues accuse FIFA of actions considered “abuse of a dominant position”. One of the main concerns is the over-extended international schedule, including a new, enlarged Club World Cup due to take place in the summer of 2025 and a planned expansion of the World Cup in 2026.
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In the KMŚ, instead of the previous seven teams, the tournament in the United States will include as many as 32 teams and will last almost a whole month. Football circles are concerned not only about the extension of the match schedule, but also about a possible time conflict with the commercially attractive pre-season tours of the largest clubs. The problem also concerns the next World Cup with the participation of an increased number of 48 teams, instead of the current 32.
According to FIFPRO and EPFL, FIFA’s actions have negative consequences for players and national leagues. An intensified schedule leads to overtraining of players, which directly affects the players’ health. However, for clubs, the risk of staff turnover due to injuries at key moments of the season increases.
Umberto Calcagno, president of the Italian Footballers’ Association, also raised health issues. – The players are well aware of the burden this carries on their health, as well as the importance of defending the values of the national championships – he noted in an interview with “The Guardian”.
However, FIFA’s position is clear – the federation emphasizes that the entire schedule was approved with the participation of international representatives from all continents, including Europe, and consultations were held with FIFPRO and the leagues before the decision. The organization’s statement states that although the difference of opinion is noticeable, FIFA is of the opinion that cooperation with various football organizations was in line with the requirements and good administrative practices.
Disputes in the football community are nothing new. The issue of setting the match calendar is not the first time that European courts have had to decide on FIFA’s actions. Recently, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled, among other things, that the current player transfer system violates EU law. In response, FIFA pledged to seek compromise solutions.
Let us recall that EPFL, the association of football league organizers, brings together 39 professional leagues from 33 countries – including the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1, but without the participation of La Liga. The organization also includes Ekstraklasa SA, whose president, Marcin Animucki, sits on the management board of this organization.
FIFA’s Overreach: A Comedy of Errors in the International Football Calendar
Football, eh? Where else do you get a mix of drama, politics, and allegations of “abuse of power” that would make the gods of Olympus roll their eyes? The rumblings from the football fraternity—drumroll, please—are aimed squarely at FIFA, accusing them of monopolistic tendencies when it comes to scheduling international competitions. Sweet irony, isn’t it? The beautiful game turning into a courtroom drama!
According to the Polish Press Agency—because let’s be honest, when it comes to football bureaucracy, the more bureaucratic countries involved, the better—the complaint dives into the chaos of the international calendar. Apparently, players are starting to feel like overcooked pasta: too stretched out and on the verge of breaking apart! FIFPRO Europe, EPFL, and La Liga have united like the Avengers (only less super and more bureaucratic) to take on the evil empire. Their declaration? FIFA’s ‘decisions’ on the calendar are not just bad for the sport but could be a violation of European Union law. Who knew that football could also be a lesson in antitrust law?
“This is one of the most important days in the history of football,” exclaimed Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, as he submitted the complaint. Important? More like monumental! It’s like watching two elephants fight over a peanut!
Now, if you’ve been living under a rock—maybe one of those fancy football stadiums—let me explain: FIFA is planning to expand the Club World Cup to 32 teams in 2025, extending it to nearly a month of matches. Somebody pour one out for the players’ stamina! And don’t even get me started on the 48-team World Cup in 2026. What’s FIFA’s idea here? An international family reunion? Just imagine the chaos: “Did you bring the cousins from Brazil? They really know how to party!”
The heart of the issue is the player’s health. And let’s be honest, if FIFA’s not careful, players may start performing like malfunctioning robots—hamstrings snapping at the rate of questionable transfer dealings! Umberto Calcagno, head honcho of the Italian Footballers’ Association, laid it bare. He stated that players are acutely aware of how this schedule affects their health. Basically, they feel like they’re about to walk into a horror movie where the only relief is a good injury timeout!
Now here’s where it gets spicy! FIFA, in all its glory, is donning its best “we’re innocent” costume and claims that everything was done with the consensus of decisions from across the globe. It’s like the corporate equivalent of “I swear I was just following orders,” with a dash of “we consulted everyone who could say yes.” Oh, FIFA, such confidence! But are you really collaborating, or just throwing a party and hoping everyone shows up?
For the love of the game, remember, this isn’t FIFA’s first rodeo with the courts. The last time around, the European Court of Justice decided that FIFA’s player transfer system was in violation of EU law. Talk about kicking a hornet’s nest, huh? FIFA promised to work on syndicating peace talks as a response. Honestly, with all these scraps, FIFA makes a better villain than some soap operas. Someone get the popcorn!
The EPFL, representing 39 professional leagues from 33 countries—yes, including the big names like the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1—may just pull the curtains on this wacky show. Are we witnessing the dawn of a new era in football governance, or will it be more of the same mess with a side of player exhaustion?
So grab your foam fingers and settle in, because the world of football governance is about to get as thrilling as the last minutes of a penalty shootout. Will FIFA reshape its calendar according to player welfare, or stubbornly cling to its current model? Spoiler alert: the ball is in their court, and we’re all waiting to see if it’s a goal or an embarrassing own goal!
