The expanded FIFA Club World Cup, to be held in the United States in 2025, is creating quite a stir in the soccer world. European leagues, including the Premier League and La Liga, and FIFPRO Europe announced they would jointly lodge a complaint against FIFA with the European Commission.dissatisfied people for New sports and matches are continually added to the World CalendarThe Club World Cup was the final straw.
In a lengthy statement issued by FIFPRO:The international match calendar is beyond saturated, making domestic leagues unsustainable and putting players' health at risk.A full-scale legal battle is now likely.
FIFPRO statement reveals FIFA lawsuit
The full statement from FIFPRO is as follows:
“Following the decisions of their respective enforcement authorities, the European Leagues and FIFPRO Europe have jointly File a formal complaint with the European Commission on competition law grounds against FIFA over the international match schedule.
“For several years, leagues and players' unions have repeatedly called on FIFA to establish a clear, transparent and fair process for the international match calendar. The latest formal request was made ahead of the FIFA Congress and Executive Committee meeting in May 2024. Unfortunately, FIFA has consistently refused to include national leagues or players' unions in its decision-making process.
“The international match calendar is beyond saturated. It will be difficult to maintain the domestic league, and there will be risks to players' health.FIFA's decisions over the past few years have repeatedly shown it has prioritized its own sporting and commercial interests and neglected its responsibilities as a governing body. This has undermined the economic interests of national leagues and the welfare of players.
“The national leagues and players' unions, which represent the interests of all clubs and all players at national level and regulate industrial relations through collectively agreed solutions, It is unacceptable that global regulations should be decided unilaterally.
“Legal action is the only way to ensure that European leagues and players' unions act responsibly.” Protect football, its ecosystem and its workforce from unilateral decisions by FIFA.
In the complaint, FIFA's conduct breaches EU competition law and, in particular, constitutes an abuse of a dominant position.FIFA has a dual role as football's global regulator and competition organiser. This allows: Conflict of interestThis is in line with recent case law of the European Court of Justice, which requires FIFA to exercise its regulatory functions with transparency, objectivity, non-discrimination and fairness. FIFA's actions regarding the international match calendar fall well short of these requirements.
The complaint will be formally submitted by the Europa Leagues, La Liga and FIFPRO Europe. This will run alongside individual initiatives launched at national level by national leagues and players' unions. Players' unions from Britain, France and Italy filed suit at the Brussels Commercial Court in June.
The Europa Leagues and FIFPRO Europe have already informed the European Commission of their decision and look forward to cooperating closely with the European Commission, the relevant public authorities and football stakeholders throughout the investigation process.
When will the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup take place?
The next FIFA Club World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time.The tournament will be played using the same format as the recent UEFA Champions League, with a group stage (eight groups of four teams), followed by a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
In other words 16 teams will play three extra matches At the end of the “regular season” The other 16 players who will play 4-7 gamesIt depends on how far you go.
Recent editions Tournament Only 7 clubsAlmost everyone is playing Just two or three games.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 It will take place across the United States between June 15 and July 13, 2025. Teams that have qualified include Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
There is Competition unlikely to be cancelled due to lawsuit against FIFA At this early stage, but, This may be subject to change depending on the outcome of legal action.
if Major clubs decide to boycott new Club World CupIf that happens, as has been suggested, FIFA may be forced to call it off as well.
What other changes has FIFA made to the match schedule?
There have also been numerous complaints such as the following: FIFA decides to expand World Cup participation from 32 to 48 teams. it is Number of games increased from 64 to 104 The world's best players will have more playing time on the field.
