By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 24, 2024
The top European leagues, including the Premier League, and global players' union Fifpro will launch legal action against world governing body Fifa over its "abuse of dominance" in the game.
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.
It comes following growing pressure from leagues and player unions, including the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), over the number of games added to the calendar and the impact on players.
A Fifpro statement said the international calendar is "now beyond saturation", "unsustainable for national leagues" and a "risk for the health of players".
It added: "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.
"Legal action is now the only responsible step for European leagues and player unions to protect football, its ecosystem and its workforce."
The statement said Fifa has "consistently refused to include national leagues and player unions in its decision-making process", having been urged to develop a clear and transparent process regarding the international match calendar.
The European Leagues includes the English Football League, Scottish Professional Football League, Serie A and the Bundesliga. La Liga is not a member but is joining the action.
In May Fifa rejected a claim that Fifpro and the World Leagues Association were not consulted over plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup.
Manchester City and Chelsea are among the 12 European representatives at the expanded Club World Cup, to be held in the USA between 15 June and 13 July 2025.
Source Punch Ng
Posted July 24, 2024
You may also like...
Thiago Silva Set To Leave PSG
Undefeated Makhmudov vows to ‘destroy’ Fury, Joshua
NSC backs Team Nigeria’s medal quest in Tokyo...
Ezzeldin Bahader Makes Scoring Debut At Age 75...
Tributes flood in for ‘fantastic man and coach’...
Djokovic Into Italian Open Last Eight
Management cost Eagles World Cup spot – Supporters club chief
Otu, Udofia target CBN senior tennis title
Edo Queens win second NWFL title
Unbeaten Adeshina completes NCAA sweep
Havertz, Balogun, Ayari in early lead for FIFA golden boot race
Onitsha Country Club Inaugurates N200m 300-seater Capacity Standard Tennis Pavilion, One-storey Bar
Nnamdi wins Nigeria’s first NCAA javelin title
Olise, Yamal headline stars at maiden W’Cup
South Africa’s Williams hurt by lack of African support
Rema, Lisa, Anitta shine at World Cup 2026 opening ceremony
Balogun scores twice as US thrash Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup opener
Ajayi, Ogazi win NCAA titles
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,864 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,192 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,130 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,715 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,610 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,497 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,350 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,901 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,090 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,580 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,033 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,462 views)