Player welfare seems to be the hot topic of discussion these days. Having ample time to train whilst also incorporating adequate time to rest and recuperate during the sporting season. As I understood things, the sporting environment at most times made adequate provision for this. But the recent FIFA Club World Cup raised some more red flags on this issue. Adding more tournaments to an already jam-packed schedule is questionable. As we sit on the bench, watching the game, it’s easy to mistake the activity that the player performs as “all fun and games” instead of an actual professional that should be handled as such.
Heeding the international call to arms
As mentioned above, the June / July FIFA Club World Cup held in the US had similar worries and concerns eating away at the overall hype of the tournament. One of the big issues that was raised here was the schedule overload. The football schedule is already jam-packed with international tournaments as well as competitions, and now, yet another tournament gets stirred into the mix.
This in itself left very little in which the players will be able to recover before the domestic season starts again. Skipping out on valuable rest and recovery can affect one’s health and wellness. Suggestions from those in the know mostly recommend at least eight weeks of rest and prep time for players. Another matter to keep in mind may be the legal implications that can possibly flow from these “unhealthy” scenarios.
What happens when things take a turn for the worse?
Recent turn of events has shown just how seriously these issues are taken. FIFPRO Europe and European Leagues, who are representing the European player unions and national leagues, as well as LaLiga, went ahead and filed a complaint to the European Commission. The complaint was filed against FIFA, specifically for their conduct related to the international match calendar.
The complaint also included issues about their decisions relating to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The complaint was submitted to the Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission. This step was not taken lightly and followed an extensive review of this case, specifically by the lawyers who are acting on behalf of FIFPRO Europe and European Leagues.
The nuts and bolts of the legal matters
These actions were not taken on a whim. A lot of thought and consideration came into play, especially from the side of the players. Worries from their part relate to the impact that this unsustainable game calendar will have on their well-being, health, as well as the longevity of their careers. FIFA’s behavior on this matter can escalate to a wider level.
During a news conference in Brussels, more details of the complaint were presented. This also outlines the possibility for a conflict of interest as FIFA holds conflicting roles as a competition organizer as well as the governing body of the sport. Another matter that was focused on was the lack of due process, as well as meaningful engagement from the side of FIFA with the players and leagues regarding the calendar-related matters.
Another thing that was noted was how FIFA utilized its regulatory power as a means to promote its commercial interest, this at the expense of the players and leagues. A further explanation notes that FIFA’s imposition of decisions specifically on the international calendar is an abuse of their dominance and also is then a violation of the European Union Law. At the moment, FIFA’s conduct and rules fall by the wayside when it comes to compliance with EU law. It not only harms the health and safety of the players but also harms the economic interests of the national leagues.
