The world governing body of football, Federation internationale de Football Association(FIFA), is facing potential legal action from both the global players’ union, Fifpro, and the World Leagues Association, which includes the Premier League. This action looms if Fifa proceeds with its plans to host a 32-team Club World Cup at the conclusion of the upcoming season.
According to these organizations, the global football calendar has reached a state of oversaturation, making it difficult for national leagues to effectively organize their competitions. They argue that players are being pushed to their limits, increasing the risk of significant injuries and impacting their overall welfare.
In December, BBC Sport reported that the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) was seeking legal advice due to the lack of consultation regarding the increasingly congested calendar and its potential consequences for its members.
Maheta Molango, the chief executive of the PFA, has been actively involved in various high-level discussions, including the European Leagues general assembly last month. During these discussions, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters expressed concerns that the calendar has reached a critical juncture.
In the upcoming season, all three major European club competitions will be expanded to include 36 teams. This expansion means that both the Champions League and Europa League will feature eight first-phase games instead of the current six. Consequently, a club may need to play up to 17 matches to secure victory in either competition.
Notably, Manchester City and Chelsea are among the 12 European representatives set to participate in the expanded Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States in June and July next year.
In a letter directed to Fifa President Gianni Infantino and General Secretary Mattias Grafstrom, which BBC Sport has had access to, Fifpro and the World Leagues Association assert that if Fifa extends its own competitions, it should make corresponding adjustments to others.
The letter emphasizes that “placing the responsibility of adaptation on national leagues and players is inherently unjust” and poses a threat to national leagues while impacting the health and well-being of players.
However, according to information obtained by BBC Sport, Fifa maintains that it has considered player welfare in its scheduling initiatives.
Fifa contends that in a country with an 18-team league and one cup competition, such as Germany, the Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup would only represent 2.3% of club-level matches throughout the season.
Furthermore, Fifa believes that the influential European Clubs’ Association supported the Club World Cup plans in a statement issued in December.
Fifpro and the World Leagues Association believe they have already provided Fifa with ample opportunity to address their concerns.
However, in their letter they state clearly that if Fifa “refuses to formally commit to resolving the issues” at its council meeting in Bangkok on 17 May, members will be advised “on the options available to them”.
“These options included legal action against Fifa,” they said.
The Fifa council meeting in Thailand will see all 211 member associations get together, with a vote on the host nation or nations of the 2027 Women’s World Cup set to take place.
The threat of legal action against Fifa comes against a backdrop of Premier League clubs announcing lucrative post and pre-season tours.
On Thursday, West Ham, Wolves and Crystal Palace announced a three-team pre-season tour of the United States, while Newcastle and Tottenham will play one another in Melbourne, Australia just three days after the end of the Premier League season.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bournemouth will all tour the United States next summer.