Gianni Infantino has stated that player welfare “remains a priority” for FIFA, despite the legal complaint filed by top European leagues and the players’ union FIFPro with the European Commission.
World football’s governing body has been accused of abusing its dominant position under EU competition law by failing to adequately consult on the international fixture calendar, which includes the introduction of a new 32-team Club World Cup set for next summer.
Unions and clubs argue that FIFA’s “unilateral” approach has harmed the economic interests of leagues and jeopardized player welfare.
FIFA President Infantino shared a photo on Instagram of himself meeting with David Aganzo, president of the Spanish union AFE, in Miami.
In the post, he wrote, “Fifa continues to work with player bodies to ensure player welfare remains a priority. I look forward to continue working with David and everyone at AFE to achieve this goal”.
FIFPro, the world players’ union, declined to comment, but sources told the PA news agency that Aganzo’s meeting with Infantino was a personal one.
In September, Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri added his voice to the growing concerns in the football community, suggesting that players were “close” to going on strike if their worries about the congested fixture calendar were not addressed.
FIFPro filed the complaint with the European Commission on Monday, in collaboration with European Leagues, which represents 39 leagues—including the English Premier League—and 1,130 clubs across 33 countries.
Additionally, a separate legal challenge has been submitted to the Belgian courts, where the unions are seeking a ruling from the European Court of Justice on whether FIFA’s actions violate the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The scheduling of the Club World Cup in the United States is seen as a pivotal factor prompting this action, as the tournament will not conclude until July 13, leaving minimal time for an off-season break before the start of domestic campaigns.
FIFA maintains that the calendar agreement was reached after extensive consultations and has accused the leagues of hypocrisy, noting that many—including the Premier League—have scheduled their own pre-season events.