The European Leagues, the umbrella organization of 31 professional leagues, and the players’ union Fifpro have jointly submitted a complaint to the EU Commission against FIFA’s international match calendar “on competition grounds”. The world governing body reacted sharply
“For several years, the leagues and players’ unions have repeatedly called on FIFA to develop a clear, transparent and fair procedure for the international match calendar,” reads a joint statement from Fifpro and European Leagues. “The most recent formal request was made ahead of the FIFA Congress and Council in May 2024. Regrettably, FIFA has consistently refused to involve the national leagues and players’ unions in its decision-making process.”
The national leagues complain that they are only involved in the design of the match calendar through various consultation procedures, but have no real say in the matter. FIFA has significantly expanded its competitions in recent years. The Club World Cup will be held with 32 teams for the first time in 2025, while there will be 104 instead of 64 matches at the 2026 World Cup. FIFA complains that UEFA has also repeatedly expanded its competitions.
FIFA responded promptly and sharply on X (formerly Twitter): “Some leagues in Europe – even organizers and regulators of competitions – are acting out of commercial self-interest, hypocritically and without regard for anyone else in the world. These leagues clearly prefer a calendar full of friendly matches and summer tours, often involving extensive travel around the world. “
“Danger to the health of the players “
The 31 professional leagues that are part of the European Leagues association include the Premier League, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the DFL. Its managing director Marc Lenz complained just last week: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to plan a complete season.” The second DFL managing director, Steffen Merkel, fears that “there will also be an impact on marketing if new competitions spring up like mushrooms.”
“The international match calendar is now so oversaturated that it is no longer sustainable for the national leagues and poses a risk to the health of the players. FIFA’s decisions in recent years have repeatedly favored its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibility as a governing body and harmed the economic interests of the national leagues and the welfare of the players,” Fifpro and European Leagues emphasize in their statement.
With the complaint, they want to demonstrate that FIFA’s behavior “violates EU competition law and in particular constitutes an abuse of dominance”. This complaint, which is officially filed by the European Leagues, LaLiga and Fifpro Europe, runs in parallel with separate complaints being pursued by individual leagues and players’ unions at national level. Players’ organizations from England, France and Italy filed a complaint with the Brussels Commercial Court in June.
