European football leagues and the players’ union Fifpro have filed a legal complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position in football. The complaint, which has been lodged by the European Leagues and Fifpro, claims that FIFA’s decisions regarding the international match calendar violate European competition laws.
The European Leagues, which represents 39 leagues including the Premier League and over 1,130 clubs across 33 countries, joined forces with the European branch of Fifpro in this unprecedented legal move. Spain’s La Liga, though not a member of the European Leagues, has also joined the action.
The primary concern revolves around FIFA’s handling of the international fixture calendar, particularly the creation and scheduling of new competitions like the expanded **FIFA Club World Cup 2025**. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) previously filed a complaint in June, claiming the football calendar had become “overloaded and unworkable” with the increased number of matches.
Fifpro has argued that FIFA prioritizes its commercial interests, neglecting its responsibilities as a governing body and harming both national leagues and player welfare. The expanded Club World Cup, set to take place in the US from 15 June to 13 July 2025, has been a focal point of controversy, with European teams facing increased fixture congestion and reduced rest periods between seasons.
Top players have been vocal about their frustrations with the congested schedule. Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri recently revealed that players are close to striking in protest. Rodri, who played an exhausting 6,107 minutes for club and country between July 2023 and July 2024, said, “We cannot continue like this.” He expressed concern about the lack of breaks and the risk of injury caused by the relentless schedule.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson echoed these concerns, criticizing the lack of consultation with players about the increasing number of games. Switzerland and Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji even joked about potentially retiring early due to the non-stop fixture demands.
In response to the legal actions, FIFA has maintained that it followed proper consultation processes before expanding the football calendar. It claims that both Fifpro and the World League Association were involved in discussions regarding the 2025-30 international match calendar.
FIFA has defended its right to set the parameters for its competitions, including the Club World Cup, accusing certain European leagues of hypocrisy. FIFA argues that these leagues prioritize commercial interests by organizing end-of-season friendlies and pre-season tours, often involving long-distance travel, while accusing FIFA of overloading the schedule.
Fifpro expects the European Commission to begin a preliminary investigation, which could take up to 12 months. This investigation would involve discussions with FIFA, Fifpro, and the European Leagues. Depending on the findings, a formal investigation could follow.
This legal dispute represents a growing conflict between FIFA’s global ambitions and the realities of an increasingly saturated football calendar. While domestic leagues and player unions seek to protect their interests, FIFA is determined to press ahead with its expanded competitions, potentially reshaping the future of football.
