European Leagues and Player Unions Challenge FIFA Over Fixture Congestion

European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe will formally complain to the European Commission against FIFA's decision-making on fixture congestion, especially regarding expanded World Cup tournaments. They allege FIFA abuses its power by excluding national leagues and player unions, harming their economic interests and player welfare.

In a fresh legal challenge to global soccer authorities, the European group of leagues and player unions announced on Tuesday that they would file a formal complaint with the European Commission. The complaint concerns the International Federation of Association Football's (FIFA) role in adding competitions to already crowded fixture schedules.

This legal action follows warnings issued to FIFA by European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe in May, urging a reconsideration of an “inherently abusive” decision-making process. These warnings targeted particularly the expansion of the men's World Cup and Club World Cup.

The complaint also references a European Court of Justice ruling from December which determined that both FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) misused their dominant positions as regulators and competition organizers. The ruling came from a case brought by prominent clubs that attempted to start a breakaway Super League in 2021.

In a statement, European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe lamented, “Regretfully, FIFA has consistently refused to include national leagues and player unions in its decision-making process.”

The European Commission in Brussels, serving as the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union, possesses the authority to investigate potential breaches of competition law.

“FIFA's decisions over the last years have repeatedly favoured its own competitions and commercial interests, neglected its responsibilities as a governing body, and harmed the economic interests of national leagues and the welfare of players,” the statement continued.

Critics argue that the international match calendar, managed by FIFA, has reached a point of oversaturation, becoming unsustainable for national leagues and a health risk for players. Clubs are mandated to release their players for national teams during international fixtures, which often disrupts top-tier leagues' schedules. These leagues claim they were not adequately consulted about the latest calendar version extending to 2030.