Players from top European leagues including the English Premier League and the global players’ union Fifpro have announced they will launch legal action against world governing body Fifa over the “unsustainable” international match calendar.
This comes at the back of 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.
Top bosses and players, including Kevin De Bruyne, have frequently bemoaned the amount of football being played, with teams in England playing in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Seven clubs will also play in European competition this season, with UEFA running the Champions League,. Europa League and Europa Conference League.
In a statement Fifpro indicated that the international calendar is “now beyond saturation”, “unsustainable for national leagues” and a “risk for the health of players”.
“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.”
A Fifa spokesperson said: “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.”
Meanwhile, FIFA are set to launch a revamped Club World Cup, which will see 32 teams from across the globe compete next summer. On top of that, international players will feature in World Cups, continental championships and Nations Leagues, as well as a number of friendlies.
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