Premier League Joins Legal Action Against Fifa
The Premier League has joined with a number elite European football leagues, including Serie A, Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga, to initiate legal action against world governing body Fifa.
The European Leagues, which represents 39 leagues and 1,130 clubs in 33 countries, says it is filing a complaint to the European Commission to protect the welfare of players, which is also backed by global players union Fifpro.
The group has described Fifa’s ‘abuse of dominance’ as a motivating factor behind the legal case, focusing on the growing number of games in the football calendar and the impact on players.
The new follows growing concerns from the numerous leagues and players unions on the issue, including the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales.
Much of the frustration has stemmed from the introduction of Fifa’s upcoming inaugural 32-team Club World Cup.
Manchester City and Chelsea are among the 12 European representatives at the expanded tournament, to be held in the USA between 15th June and 13th July 2025.
As well as the Premier League, the EFL and SPFL are included in the leagues bringing the case forward.
A Fifpro statement read, ‘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.
‘National leagues and player unions, which represent the interests of all clubs and all players at the national level and regulate labour relations through collectively agreed solutions, cannot accept that global regulations are decided unilaterally.
‘Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem and workforce from FIFA’s unilateral decisions.’
Fifa responded defiantly with a spokesman stating, “The current calendar was unanimously approved by the Fifa Council, which is composed of representatives from all continents, including Europe, following a comprehensive and inclusive consultation, which included Fifpro and league bodies.
“Fifa’s calendar is the only instrument ensuring that international football can continue to survive, co-exist, and prosper alongside domestic and continental club football.
“Some leagues in Europe – themselves competition organisers and regulators – are acting with commercial self-interest, hypocrisy, and without consideration to everyone else in the world.
“Those leagues apparently prefer a calendar filled with friendlies and summer tours, often involving extensive global travel.
“By contrast, Fifa must protect the overall interests of world football, including the protection of players, everywhere and at all levels of the game.”
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