The global players’ union FIFpro and the World Leagues Forum have reached an agreement to involve professional footballers and major national leagues more closely in decision-making in world football.
Both associations signed “the first global agreement on working conditions and rights of professional football players” at the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva on Monday, the ILO said.
Recently, there had been several controversial competition reforms and ideas in international professional football, such as the introduction of the Nations League and reform of the Champions League, but also the failed introduction of a European Super League or biennial World Cups.
In addition to the schedule and match calendar, the new labour body in men’s and women’s football is also to deal with employment standards, dealing with concussions and head injuries or combating discrimination, racism and abuse on and off the pitch.
The players’ union FIFpro represents more than 60,000 professionals, the World Leagues Forum 44 national leagues with around 1,100 clubs.