FIFPRO Europe, the organization representing European footballers, has submitted a complaint regarding FIFA’s match schedule, arguing that it poses significant risks to players’ health. The unions believe that FIFA’s actions violate the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which guarantees workers’ rights, such as healthy working conditions and paid leave.
This season, all three European club competitions have expanded to include 36 teams each. In response, FIFPRO have initiated legal action against FIFA over the men’s Club World Cup which also expanded to 32 teams and will begin in June 2025 in the USA. The players’ union argue that the tournament disregards players’ well-being, by adding to an already overcrowded calendar.
Specifically, the scheduling of the 2025 Club World Cup will overlap with the period when players would take their annual rest. Therefore, some players could face almost an entire year without enough rest between club and international duties. A report from FIFPRO highlighted that the increasingly packed football calendar, has resulted in some athletes having as little as 12% of the year available for rest. The report also projected that, for example players like Federico Valverde, Nicolo Barella, and Phil Foden could end up playing as many as 80 matches in future seasons due to the continued expansion of competitions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed the legal challenge, insisting that FIFA is responsible for organizing only a small portion of the matches. He stated that “98 to 99 percent of matches are organized by other bodies” and defended FIFA, by explaining that the “few” matches they organize, help financially support football development worldwide and promote the sport on a global level. As a result, FIFPRO Europe has taken the case to the Brussels Court of Commerce, requesting a referral to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for a preliminary ruling.
Nevertheless, this legal battle marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between FIFA’s competition expansions and the rights of players.
By Yolanda Pandi
BOCCONI STUDENTS FOR SPORT MANAGEMENT 
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